Madrid: Red or Blue Clay? Why does it matter?

[RF20Lennon]

Ok I might be completely wrong but from the research Ive done the only difference between the two surfaces is the color. So my question is why are the pro's making such a big deal out of it? You can see the ball better too. So can someone tell me why its such a big deal?

 

[ollinger]

You answered your own question. Ball much easier to see on TV.

 

[RF20Lennon]

No lol my question was why are the pros making a big deal out of it?

 

[SStrikerR]

No lol my question was why are the pros making a big deal out of it?

Because it's different. They aren't used to it, so it can't be that comfortable to play on, regardless of if it plays differently or not.

 

[Hood_Man]

I can't speak for anyone else but I think it's fairly unnecessary. Granted it's at least quite a nice shade of blue and the ball will be easier to see, but one of the nice things about the clay season is that, aside from the different play, it's a break from the boring blue courts we see almost all year round.

It's worth seeing I suppose, but hopefully it'll be just the one tournament.

 

[OverratedIvanovic]

There's a saying "Why fix something i.e. not broken"

 

[pvaudio]

^^Bingo. It matters because it's pointless. You can see the ball just fine on TV. Red clay isn't the bane of our visual acuity, and it adds a welcome element: diversity. As someone above said, everything else is already blue/green in combination. Leave the red clay be.

 

[beast of mallorca]

No lol my question was why are the pros making a big deal out of it?

From what was said, the top pros were not happy because they are traditionalists and want to preserve the history of playing in red clay. Plus the fact that it's new and they don't know how the blue clay is (bounce etc)

 

[aceroberts13]

I think the blue clay will be fine. It's good that the pros are venting their frustration. They have a right to do that, but most of the time decisions like this have to be out of their hands because no innovation would ever occur.

 

[OldFedIsOld]

What I want is tennis court that is illuminated by black lights. The ball will be white, the clothing will be white, the lines and net will be white, and the racquets would also be white in order to see. It would be awesome seeing that.

pretty good example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzXhAePrFUA

 

[Homeboy Hotel]

Because their outfits won't go with the blue, thats why the pro's are going mad about it.

Especially Nadal.

 

[jones101]

If the ball is more visable with these dodgy internet streams, im all in favour of it.

As long as it plays the same, what does it matter. Madrid is a new venue, with a cutting edge design, and the only stop on the ATP tour which facilitates Indoor Clay - I think blue clay is fitting for such a venue.

It not like RG has suddenly decided to change colour, people need to relax.

 

[RF20Lennon]

Because their outfits won't go with the blue, thats why the pro's are going mad about it.

Especially Nadal.

LOLOL but going by that logic fed should be happy b/c hes wearing blue

 

[PhrygianDominant]

I have decided to like the blue clay because everybody seems to hate it. I was about to say it has a scifi kind of feel, when I saw this post...

What I want is tennis court that is illuminated by black lights. The ball will be white, the clothing will be white, the lines and net will be white, and the racquets would also be white in order to see. It would be awesome seeing that.

pretty good example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzXhAePrFUA

although I hate night clubs and prefer greasy pubs, I am wondering why we can't have tron tennis, it is the future already and they already stiffed us on the flying cars, at least let us have tron tennis.

Because their outfits won't go with the blue, thats why the pro's are going mad about it.

Especially Nadal.

This on the other hand I completely understand.

 

[Towser83]

tron tennis would rule.

I think the WTF need to be best of 7 sets on a black court.

 

[PhrygianDominant]

tron tennis would rule.

I think the WTF need to be best of 7 sets on a black court.

Yes. with the dress code listed above. and everybody has to brush their teeth.

 

[sports4eva115]

tron tennis would rule.

I think the WTF need to be best of 7 sets on a black court.

A black tennis court sounds sexy, especially with the players all wearing neon colors these days

 

[BevelDevil]

If the ball is more visable with these dodgy internet streams, im all in favour of it.
.

Yup. Include youtube videos of classic matches with invisible balls.

 

[merwy]

I can't speak for anyone else but I think it's fairly unnecessary. Granted it's at least quite a nice shade of blue and the ball will be easier to see, but one of the nice things about the clay season is that, aside from the different play, it's a break from the boring blue courts we see almost all year round.

It's worth seeing I suppose, but hopefully it'll be just the one tournament.

Yeah, I freaking love seeing the red clay courts. Maybe it's because I grew up playing on them, but whenever I see tennis in the clay season I feel like "this is real tennis, this is where it's supposed to be played".

 

[BeHappy]

Monte Carlo and Rome are so beautiful the way they are with the red clay. It really is iconic.

 

[FlamEnemY]

I think it's a great idea actually. Blue clay would play the same as red clay, it's only the color that is different, but it would make for a unique experience.

And seriously, what would Nadal do if they make it blue? Not play? Yeah, right. :|

 

[PhrygianDominant]

Nadal is color blind, so if noone had told him he wouldn't have known the difference.

 

[Ico]

I like the idea of a color change, but blue is just going to make me think of hard courts. Go for something completely new, like violet or silver.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

^^Bingo. It matters because it's pointless. You can see the ball just fine on TV. Red clay isn't the bane of our visual acuity, and it adds a welcome element: diversity. As someone above said, everything else is already blue/green in combination. Leave the red clay be.

come on
I was using the best streaming today at MC, and still losing the ball
on 2 channels
let's try this out
it's better for ball contrast in principle

 

[Towser83]

Yes. with the dress code listed above. and everybody has to brush their teeth.

haha yes, good plan.

 

[PED]

Anyone ever watch a Boise State home game in football with the blue field: the color is so jarring

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&...=165&start=0&ndsp=45&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:0,i:95

Still, I think it will be a good idea.

 

[RF20Lennon]

Yeah, I freaking love seeing the red clay courts. Maybe it's because I grew up playing on them, but whenever I see tennis in the clay season I feel like "this is real tennis, this is where it's supposed to be played".

Dude thats so cool. Ive never actually played on clay before. Just outdoor and indoor courts but then again I live in the US.

 

[aceroberts13]

Am I mistaken, or in that video did they say the red clay was colored as well? If that's the case I don't see the big deal at all.

I know clay is naturally red, but I'm wondering if they meant they enhanced the redness to make it appear much more so than normal? Anyone know anything about this?

 

[PhrygianDominant]

Am I mistaken, or in that video did they say the red clay was colored as well? If that's the case I don't see the big deal at all.

I know clay is naturally red, but I'm wondering if they meant they enhanced the redness to make it appear much more so than normal? Anyone know anything about this?

I am not sure if they add coloring, but I know it is made from crushed bricks, and not all bricks are the same color, so there will be some variation to begin with, depending where the bricks were made using what clay and so on....

 

[sargeinaz]

Yeah, I freaking love seeing the red clay courts. Maybe it's because I grew up playing on them, but whenever I see tennis in the clay season I feel like "this is real tennis, this is where it's supposed to be played".

No. Just no.

 

[Squall Leonheart]

In general, people dislike change. Many follow the idea that if something isn't broken, then it doesn't need changing. A lot of people would rather make no choice than make a possibly wrong choice.

 

[Tony48]

tron tennis would rule.

I think the WTF need to be best of 7 sets on a black court.

And the loser is thrown into a wood chipper

 

[Murrayfan31]

The ball being easier to see is the difference between a clay court and a slow hardcourt. Players will be able to take the ball earlier and return better. Big advantage to attacking tennis.

 

[Murrayfan31]

Monte Carlo and Rome are so beautiful the way they are with the red clay. It really is iconic.

I think red is the ugliest color. Blue is the best color. Blue clay would be perfect. :twisted:

 

[merwy]

[/B]

No. Just no.

Well it's the way that I personally feel about it.. you don't really have a say in this..

 

[merwy]

The ball being easier to see is the difference between a clay court and a slow hardcourt. Players will be able to take the ball earlier and return better. Big advantage to attacking tennis.

Nahh I don't think it makes any difference for the players in that aspect.. I don't feel any difference any way. If anyone feels differently please say so :-?

 

[TopFH]

Yeah, I freaking love seeing the red clay courts. Maybe it's because I grew up playing on them, but whenever I see tennis in the clay season I feel like "this is real tennis, this is where it's supposed to be played".

Grass tennis is real tennis.

 

[pound cat]

The players managed to survive when the colour of balls was changed from white to yellow. They'll get used to blue clay the same as they got used to blue and green courts...and non gut strings and no more wood in the rackets.

 

[JustBob]

Official Madrid Balls Unveiled!