Djokovic blasts Madrid's blue clay
Source: Agencies |
May 10, 2012, Thursday
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WORLD No. 1 Novak Djokovic lashed out at Madrid Open organizers and the ATP over the event's controversial blue clay courts after fighting off Spanish qualifier Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 in the second round on Tuesday.
The defending champion said it was "impossible to move" on the Manolo Santana show court and accused tennis officials of ignoring players' concerns.
"I hit five balls throughout the whole match," the visibly irritated Serb said. "Everything else I was just trying to put the ball in the court so I just rely on my serve and getting some points eventually from his unforced errors," he added.
"For me that's not tennis. Either I come up with the football shoes or I invite Chuck Norris to advise me on how I should play on this court."
A host of players, including claycourt king Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer, have expressed concern about the decision to switch from traditional red clay to blue, which organizers say makes it easier for TV viewers to follow the yellow balls.
An ATP spokesman reiterated the governing body's position that the blue clay had been approved for one year and all feedback from the players would be taken into consideration when deciding on its future use.
"I know for certain that there are so many players that I talked to these last three or four days that share the same opinion," he said. "I take things very seriously regarding the surfaces and regarding our circuit.
"I think all the players' opinions have to be heard and have to be considered. This tournament and this decision to change to the blue clay is an example of players not being considered and heard and their opinions being ignored so I really hope that this is going to change in the future.
"I haven't heard a single player, not man or woman, saying they like blue clay."
Meanwhile, Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland routed Sara Errani 6-0, 6-1 yesterday to reach the third round.
Radwanska plays Roberta Vinci next. The Italian beat Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium 6-1, 6-2 in an earlier match.
Caroline Wozniacki and Serena Williams will meet in the last 16 after both won their second-round matches on Tuesday.
Wozniacki beat Mona Barthel of Germany 6-4, 7-6 (2) while Williams was a 6-2, 6-1 winner over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia.
The defending champion said it was "impossible to move" on the Manolo Santana show court and accused tennis officials of ignoring players' concerns.
"I hit five balls throughout the whole match," the visibly irritated Serb said. "Everything else I was just trying to put the ball in the court so I just rely on my serve and getting some points eventually from his unforced errors," he added.
"For me that's not tennis. Either I come up with the football shoes or I invite Chuck Norris to advise me on how I should play on this court."
A host of players, including claycourt king Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer, have expressed concern about the decision to switch from traditional red clay to blue, which organizers say makes it easier for TV viewers to follow the yellow balls.
An ATP spokesman reiterated the governing body's position that the blue clay had been approved for one year and all feedback from the players would be taken into consideration when deciding on its future use.
"I know for certain that there are so many players that I talked to these last three or four days that share the same opinion," he said. "I take things very seriously regarding the surfaces and regarding our circuit.
"I think all the players' opinions have to be heard and have to be considered. This tournament and this decision to change to the blue clay is an example of players not being considered and heard and their opinions being ignored so I really hope that this is going to change in the future.
"I haven't heard a single player, not man or woman, saying they like blue clay."
Meanwhile, Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland routed Sara Errani 6-0, 6-1 yesterday to reach the third round.
Radwanska plays Roberta Vinci next. The Italian beat Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium 6-1, 6-2 in an earlier match.
Caroline Wozniacki and Serena Williams will meet in the last 16 after both won their second-round matches on Tuesday.
Wozniacki beat Mona Barthel of Germany 6-4, 7-6 (2) while Williams was a 6-2, 6-1 winner over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia.
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