The tournament director of the Mutua Madrid Masters 1000 event has opened dialogue about one of the most controversial decisions surrounding the clay event in recent years.
Ion Tiriac has spoken of his desire to see the experiment of 2012, when the traditional red clay surface was replaced with a blue surface, repeated. “You could see ball much better, the only problem was that players were sliding much, but they never complained about the colour. TVs and players agreed with the fact that you could see the ball better. We hope to have blue clay again, everyone wants it” – Tiriac on the idea.
Tiriac’s claim that the surface was popular is at odds with the opinions of some top players who took part event, including Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic speaking in 2012: “The only thing that is a little bit disappointing from a player’s standpoint is that this is decided without players agreeing on it, If you don’t have, especially, top players testing the court and agreeing for this change, that should mean something. They should have value in what they say”.
Nadal: “My thoughts haven’t changed on the concept and organization of this tournament. My criticism is not directed at the tournament but at the ATP, which should never have allowed such a change at a tournament of this scale.”
Others including Milos Raonic also noted issues with the court. On the other hand, players including Roger Federer and Serena Williams were complimentary about the surface.
One thing that can be certain is that Tiriac’s assertion that the surface was loved does not quite ring true.
