Blue Clay

[coke4]

Nadal after loss: "If it continues like this, next year there will be one less tournament in my calendar."

Sour sour grapes! So very typical.

Dont think that's very fair on Rafa. It's not like he made the excuse up just because he lost. He, along with many other players, have been saying this from the start

[djarvik]

That is true.

But on the other hand, sportsman tend resent change in sports. Anything that deviates from their normal activity is tough to swallow. Especially if you are in top ranks. You then tent to look for an outlet and drastic change is the perfect outlet.

If Rafa would have won the tournament, then made the statement - it would have been MUCH heavier.

Tennis is spectator sport and the consensus between spectator is that the Blue is a change for the better. I think the players tent to forget about the fact that with no spectators - they have no sport.

I say they need to adjust, all of them! I like the Blue and want it to stay. Suck it!

[Ali-Iqb93]

That is true.

But on the other hand, sportsman tend resent change in sports. Anything that deviates from their normal activity is tough to swallow. Especially if you are in top ranks. You then tent to look for an outlet and drastic change is the perfect outlet.

If Rafa would have won the tournament, then made the statement - it would have been MUCH heavier.

Tennis is spectator court and the consensus between spectator is that the Blue is a change for the better. I think the players tent to forget about the fact that with no spectators - they have no sport.

I say they need to adjust, all of them! I like the Blue and want it to stay.
Suck it!

Agree with djarvik here ( with something after a very long time)

[Tamthewasp]

That is true.

But on the other hand, sportsman tend resent change in sports. Anything that deviates from their normal activity is tough to swallow. Especially if you are in top ranks. You then tent to look for an outlet and drastic change is the perfect outlet.

If Rafa would have won the tournament, then made the statement - it would have been MUCH heavier.

Tennis is spectator court and the consensus between spectator is that the Blue is a change for the better. I think the players tent to forget about the fact that with no spectators - they have no sport.

I say they need to adjust, all of them! I like the Blue and want it to stay. Suck it!

If the tennis players refuse too play then the spectators have nothing 2 spectate.
The spectators are the reason the top guys get paid a lot. I.e prize money, sponsorships etc.. But the spectators should not dictate how the game moves forward itd be the players. The spectators tend 2 forgot it is the pros who play.
The pros would still play if their fans are there or not.
If this was only about making it easier 2 see the ball then change the ball colour 2 blue. This is nothing more than a PR stunt.
I think that the players have a say if blue clay returns next year and it does'nt look good

[djarvik]

If the tennis players refuse too play then the spectators have nothing 2 spectate.
The spectators are the reason the top guys get paid a lot. I.e prize money, sponsorships etc.. But the spectators should not dictate how the game moves forward itd be the players. The spectators tend 2 forgot it is the pros who play.
The pros would still play if their fans are there or not.
If this was only about making it easier 2 see the ball then change the ball colour 2 blue. This is nothing more than a PR stunt.
I think that the players have a say if blue clay returns next year and it does'nt look good

It is naive to even dream about an instance where ALL tennis players stop playing. I would then hold the Grand Slam - cause I would sure turn pro THAT day.

[djarvik]

But the spectators should not dictate how the game moves forward itd be the players.

Care to elaborate why?

[Tamthewasp]

If the tennis players refuse too play then the spectators have nothing 2 spectate.
The spectators are the reason the top guys get paid a lot. I.e prize money, sponsorships etc.. But the spectators should not dictate how the game moves forward itd be the players. The spectators tend 2 forgot it is the pros who play.
The pros would still play if their fans are there or not.
If this was only about making it easier 2 see the ball then change the ball colour 2 blue. This is nothing more than a PR stunt.
I think that the players have a say if blue clay returns next year and it does'nt look good

It is naive to even dream about an instance where ALL tennis players stop playing. I would then hold the Grand Slam - cause I would sure turn pro THAT day.

You would have 2 beat me first.

My point if the top players boycott madrid say over 50% of top 20 because of the blue clay then they would change it back 2 get them in.

[Tamthewasp]

But the spectators should not dictate how the game moves forward itd be the players.

Care to elaborate why?

They are the 1s who play. They know the game inside out and I believe are the most experienced in how 2 improve the game. Along with tje governing bodies the players should have the biggest influence on the future of the game.

[coke4]

That is true.

But on the other hand, sportsman tend resent change in sports. Anything that deviates from their normal activity is tough to swallow. Especially if you are in top ranks. You then tent to look for an outlet and drastic change is the perfect outlet.

If Rafa would have won the tournament, then made the statement - it would have been MUCH heavier.

Tennis is spectator sport and the consensus between spectator is that the Blue is a change for the better. I think the players tent to forget about the fact that with no spectators - they have no sport.

I say they need to adjust, all of them! I like the Blue and want it to stay. Suck it!

I by no means disagree with you, it does make it easier to watch (dont know if i personally like it though, looks a bit weird to me) I'm sure it's not as bad as players are making it out to be. however the blue clay would seem to be far from perfect and it probably should have had more testing before being used for such a big tournament, maybe try to get it in a smaller tournament. but i suppose that would have lost the exclusivity and attention to Madrid, which I'm was a large part if why the did it.

Anyway I was just pointing out that I thought it was unfair to label Rafa as a sore loser for saying that.

[Corbon]

Nadal had the match in the bag, he can't blame anything or anyone but himself for losing.

Almagro-Ferrer 3rd set tie break.

6-6

[djarvik]

You would have 2 beat me first.

My point if the top players boycott madrid say over 50% of top 20 because of the blue clay then they would change it back 2 get them in.

I think I can take you it two sets, 6-0 6-0

Not only I highly doubt that the 10 out of top 20 will do it, I also highly doubt that the tournament will comply. There are tons of players who would be happy to snug 1000 point and get some TV time. Players will lose this boycott, no doubt. And will only help the sport and sponsors by attracting more people, people like "mess", "boycotts". Tons will tune in just to see that magical court that got all these players wined up.

50 years ago, with little media coverage, less player depth etc...it might have worked (it actually did) but certainly not now.

They are the 1s who play. They know the game inside out and I believe are the most experienced in how 2 improve the game. Along with tje governing bodies the players should have the biggest influence on the future of the game.

The only way to improve the game at this point in my eyes is make it more popular. Hence ANY publicity stunt is GREAT news to me. On top of that, I know the game inside out as well - and I love the courts. So are most of the loyal fans out there from what I read.

The game has no future without the fans and tennis has been losing ground for the last 30 years (?). Change is good.

[djarvik]

I by no means disagree with you, it does make it easier to watch (dont know if i personally like it though, looks a bit weird to me) I'm sure it's not as bad as players are making it out to be. however the blue clay would seem to be far from perfect and it probably should have had more testing before being used for such a big tournament, maybe try to get it in a smaller tournament. but i suppose that would have lost the exclusivity and attention to Madrid, which I'm was a large part if why the did it.

Anyway I was just pointing out that I thought it was unfair to label Rafa as a sore loser for saying that.

That I agree with as well. They kinda released in half-baked, a beta-testing version if you will. But they will fix the compound and the only thing remains is color.....

[djarvik]

Just saw highlights of Dolgo VS Tsonga! That was some match. Well done by the Dog!

Here is 3rd set:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlMMfqmhkmg

[Corbon]

Goddamnit, David!

[Otlichno]

Oh God! Another Ferrer Federer match! A Ferrer fan can only hope.