Novak Djokovic joins Rafael Nadal in criticising Madrid’s new surface – Tennis News
Serbian juggernaut, Novak Djokovic, has agreed with the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal, on the criticism of new blue clay courts at the Mutua Madrid Open.
The red clay courts have been turned to blue at the La Caja Magica, which is also known as the Manzanares Park Tennis Center.
This has been the most controversial topic in the last couple of weeks, as the top tennis players started to get ready for season’s second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event on clay. The defending champion believes that ATP did
not take any suggestion from the top players before making this change.
Djokovic said, "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. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The ATP should have done a better job in representing the players' rights."
Nadal has been the most vocal criticiser of this new surface, blaming ATP for allowing this change. The Spaniard said this event was already different from others as it is played at altitude. He shared that this new change has
added to the problems of players, who will have to adjust to different conditions in preparation to the French Open.
ATP responded by saying that it gave the approval for this change after the experiments proved that it would be beneficial for the sport, as it helps players and viewers to better locate the ball.
The players who have already tried this surface revealed that it is slippery. Canada’s rising star, Milos Raonic, has labeled the surface of these new blue courts as ‘Smurf’.
Djokovic said, “It's definitely interesting for everybody to see what will happen throughout this week. It is different. I tried to prepare for it as best as I can."
The Serbian claimed last year’s Mutua Madrid Open title, after upsetting Nadal in straight sets in the final. The loss dented a blow to the Spaniard’s and he lost to Djokovic again at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
However, former world number one player on the WTA Tour, Serena Williams, did not agree with Nadal and Djokovic, as she thought that there is not a big difference between red clay and blue clay. Rather, the American shared that
she loves the fact these courts don’t make her dirty.
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