Blue, red, green.. clay.

[Satch]

Can someone that actually knows something about clay court preparation say here what is the real difference between blue and red clay except color?

As long as i know, you can make any color of clay using ceramic pigments (http://ceramicartsdaily.org/free-gi...-colorants-ceramic-stains-and-ceramic-oxides/).

So if Madrid organizers claiming the big plus of blue clay is 15% better visibility of the ball, why not just stain the same clay used on RG (that fit players) in color you like?

 

[joeri888]

IMO, the colour has nothing to do with the courtproblems in Madrid. Or at least not directly. They just prepared the courts badly, like they always do, but because they focused on the colour, it's worse this year. You can make the same clay any color you want I think.

 

[Satch]

IMO, the colour has nothing to do with the courtproblems in Madrid. Or at least not directly. They just prepared the courts badly, like they always do, but because they focused on the colour, it's worse this year. You can make the same clay any color you want I think.

i know that. Thats why i am asking what for gods sake has BLUE to do with all the issues??

Nadal and Djoker are over my head with BLUE sh*t. I mean you can make the clay to be pink if you want.

 

[McLovin]

One would think there would be no issues, but I know that certain dyes do have a effect on other things in tennis.

For example, I've always felt that Wilson Pro grip wrap in white is tackier & lasts longer than the same grip wrap in orange or yellow. Same goes for string, where dyes have been know to not only affect longevity, but also playability (look for discussions on Gosen OG Sheep Micro in white vs. natural). Hard things to quantify, I know, but when people come to the same conclusion independently, there has to be some validity to the claim.

Watching the QF matches, it was evident that the players did not have good footing. I saw countless points where even Federer looked as if he was playing on ice. Whether that is due to the color of the clay or the way they prepared it, I guess we'll have to wait & see what next year brings.

 

[Blinkism]

I believe they removed the Iron Oxide component of the red clay they were using and replaced it with blue dye.

I'm going to take a wild guess and say that the biggest difference between those two components is that Iron Oxide is probably heavier and adds more grit to the court as it is just basically rust.

Anybody with a better knowledge of chemistry or any armchair scientists know if that makes a difference?

 

[mandy01]

I believe they removed the Iron Oxide component of the red clay they were using and replaced it with blue dye.

I'm going to take a wild guess and say that the biggest difference between those two components is that Iron Oxide is probably heavier and adds more grit to the court as it is just basically rust.

Anybody with a better knowledge of chemistry or any armchair scientists know if that makes a difference?

I don't like your avie :roll:

 

[Blinkism]

I don't like your avie :roll:

It's no cowboy Federer, I'll give you that.

 

[mandy01]

It's no cowboy Federer, I'll give you that.

Yeah, this one's creepier. :mrgreen:

 

[Deleted member 21996]

It's no cowboy Federer, I'll give you that.

I like it, but i rather have a Tiriac version of it

 

[Blinkism]

^^ That's good, but let's surround it with models, as well.

 

[Satch]

come on people, this should be a serious thread..

 

[mandy01]

come on people, this should be a serious thread..

I'm sorry

 

[Russeljones]

physical properties altered, what's there to understand?

 

[Satch]

physical properties altered, what's there to understand?

To understand if organizers wanted mainly better visibility of the ball for TV viewers, couldnt they just paint the standard clay (used before).. What was their goal, to get faster court, to get better court, or is it now easier to prepare the court (because they are always tight on time).