• Madrid Open

Nadal repeats Madrid blue clay concerns

ESPN staff
May 9, 2012
Rafael Nadal is not comfortable on the blue clay in Madrid © PA Photos
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Rafael Nadal breezed past Nikolay Davydenko and promptly added his weight to the criticism of the blue clay at the Madrid Open.

A series of players, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic included, have voiced their concerns about the state of the courts at the Caja Magica. Officials took the decision to switch from red clay to blue and it has proved a controversial move.

John Isner slipped to defeat only to say it had nothing to do with the change in surface colour - but Nadal was more critical.

The world No. 2 accepts nothing can be done in the short term, but does feel it was not the best choice by tournament officials.

"The court is not one that makes you feel comfortable," Nadal, who won 6-2 6-2, said. "The court is a difficult court, it's very slippery and it makes supporting movements and getting back to defend very tough.

"But the only thing we can do now is turn the page and we are not going to get the red courts back tomorrow so we have to adapt to the blue courts and the conditions as well as possible and hope for a change next year."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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