Tennis: Blue-clay storm builds in Madrid

MADRID: Players will step onto the untried blue clay-courts of the ATP-WTA Madrid Masters, with serious doubts as preparations for the French Open are fine-tuned. Rafael Nadal has been among the most outraged. After training on the courts, Nadal was even more upset than he had been before trying them out at the Caja Magica complex. He blamed the ATP for accepting the never-before-seen clay colour. “I trained on it and I think it’s a mistake not by the organisation but by the ATP,” said Spaniard. “Madrid is one of the best tournaments in the world and does not need this. It is unique as it is played at altitude. I respect the idea but it should’ve never been allowed.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2012.