7 replies to this topic

[Vibhu batra]

Well, I have been virtually flooded by queries as to how Blue Clay Court is made for playing Tennis.

As you very well know, for the first time in the history of Tennis in an ATP 1000 event, Blue Clay Court will be used at Mutua Madrid Open, 2012.


So, after a comprehensive study & research here's a detailed explanation on how Blue Clay court is made :::



How Blue Clay Court is Made & Produced






The Manufacturing process is more or less identical to the process used in the manufacture of Red Clay ::


1. All Materials are identical


2. Even the color of the substance used in the Manufacture is the same that is used in manufacture of Red Clay.


3. The Iron Oxide is extracted, repainted in to Blue & cooked, for the original gravel that is used in the manufacture of Red clay.



Thou most of you would be aware, still I am repeating how Red Clay Court is produced :::


Almost all red "clay" courts are made not of natural clay but of crushed brick that is packed to make the court. The crushed brick is then covered with a topping of other crushed particles. This type of surface does not absorb water easily and is the most common in Europe and Latin America. True natural clay courts are rare because they take two to three days to dry.


According to Andreu Puigserver, the chief court specialist at Madrid Open,


The main Element is Clay,

• On This very Clay, Iron Oxide & other materials are extracted,

The Extracted Iron Oxide & other materials give a White Coated Clay Component

Then this White Coated Clay Component goes through a cooking process or a Calcination at an average temperature of about 950 degree celsius.


After the completion, the elements are taken to a Crushing & Filtering process to create the necessary white coloured clay.


After this the white coloured clay, is painted with the necessary available Blue Natural colours.

Then, the Drying process to ensure that the surface will have a good response to Sun, Water, Rains & other environmental factors.



Critics Response to the Blue Clay Court :::

The Critics have often opined that the Blue Colouring of the court is just to advertise the colour of the principal sponsor Mutua Madrilena .



Players response to the Blue Clay Court :::::::::::


This is what Rafael Nadal had to say about the Blue Court


“Madrid is the only tournament you are playing with high altitude, and then now you are putting a different colour of clay. There can’t be too much difference between Madrid and Rome.”




Roger Federer against blue clay for 2012 Madrid Masters..

Details on what Roger Federer had to say about Blue Clay Court , please click here




World number four Andy Murray, who won the Madrid tournament in 2008, was unsure how the clay colour change would pan out.


“The timing of it is what makes it difficult for the players,” he added. “I’ve never played on a blue claycourt before. I have no idea how the surface will play. So that will be a new experience.”


The Scot also said that the blue clay “makes the tournament unique and a bit different (which) is good for the tour”.




Novak Djokovic, who is aiming for a fourth consecutive grand slam victory at Roland-Garros, said changes were needed to improve the tour and to have more attractive venues but thought the players were not listened to when it came to major makeovers.


“As far as I know, most of the top players I talked to, nobody agreed. I never played on blue clay. Rafa didn’t. Roger (Federer) didn’t. If you don’t have the top players agreeing on that, it doesn’t make sense for me really,” Djokovic said.


“It’s going to be interesting to step on the blue clay obviously. I’m not blaming them … But definitely there is a certain rule within the ATP that the president is able to make decisions by himself without having players agree to that.


“That rule has to be changed because it’s not fair,” said the Serb, adding that he had heard mixed reports about the bounce on the clay from players who had tested it.




In the opinion of Ion Tiriac, Romanian owner of the Madrid Masters, said the Blue Clay court also makes the ball easier to see for spectators.



My Opinion :


I am always in favour of a change, as change is the law of Nature. So, looking forward to how the court reacts.


Your constructive comments are welcomed.



PS :: Please log-in before commenting.

[Poorna]

this will be an totally different atmosphere for the the players as well as the people watching it in both television and on court..!!! waiting for madrid open..!!!

[V.K. Batra]

For every one willing to know what Roger Federer had to say about the Blue Clay court



Roger Federer against blue clay for next year's Madrid Masters



Roger Federer has sprung to the support of Rafael Nadal by voicing criticism on the choice of blue clay for the 2012 Madrid Masters tournament despite the objection of Spanish star Rafael Nadal.


“This is a long story, but I find it sad that you have to play on a surface the players don't accept,” Federer said in the wake of his record sixth World Tour Finals title on Sunday.


Tournament organiser Ion Tiriac had been trying for two years to change the colour from the traditional orange/red to blue, saying that the surface was better for television.


“I have between 300 and 500 million viewers. If this helps to show the game better on TV, with all respect, we will do it despite one or two persons (who object),” Tiriac said.


“I have to convince the ATP. There is no rule, there is nothing. The TV is convinced, the fans are convinced, 90 per cent of the players too. It is nothing special, is the same thing we did 30 years ago when we changed the colour at the indoor tournaments.”


The Romanian did the same in the past when the tournament was still played on indoor hard court in Stuttgart, Germany, selecting a blue surface also then. Blue has also been used in other sports in a change from red, such as athletics at the last two World championships in Berlin and Daegu.


Federer said he didn't know whether he should rate the change “positive or negative” but said that organisers should listen to the players.


Nadal, the world's leading player on clay with six Roland Garros titles and the local hero at the Madrid event, disapproved strongly of the change which by now has been approved by the ATP for a one-year trial next May.


“It's a shame because of the history and tradition of this surface,” Nadal recently tweeted.


“I hope I don't have to play one day on blue grass.”


Federer expressed surprise that Nadal's view was not taken into account.


“I find it sad that a player like Rafa, at a tournament on his own country, has had to fight against a surface that does not want to play on,” Federer said.


“I would listen to Rafa on such an issue,” he said.


News Courtesy : Hindu Internet Edition 1st December, 2011

[Poorna]

it might be a change .. but players are the one who are going to play in it.. it is definitely a change in tradition and culture of this sport..so if they are not interested then this change should nt be brought..!! this is my opinion..!! what do u guys say???

[Vibhuism]

You made a good point about players not being happy & still playing. well, the pressure of sponsors on ATP is so much that ATP is like a puppet.


As Novak Djokovic pointed out that the ATP Director has the power to sign the changed court without consulting players..



But, still I feel that this court will get a thumbs up from every one.


Its a gut feeling & of course, its a very well known fact that I like Madrid city a lot, so let Madrid be the pioneer in the Blue Clay Court as surely the Blue Clay Court looks better to eyes than Red clay :-).......

[Poorna]

it is looking good ... seems only roger and rafa are against it and others are waiting towards it..!!

[Inez]

this week, I'm on an official trip to Madrid, have taken a few pics, will post later. thou, I liked the scientific explanation of how the court is made.. calcination, roasting , drying on a tennis forum sounds amazing .

[Kat4tennis]

Personally as a fan who watches all the tournaments, I am thrilled with the blue color. I find it difficult to watch the ball and enjoy the game as much on that red clay. I think if the players just give it a chance and it becomes the "norm" (hopefully), then eventually it will be a mute point. I hope after the players get used to it, they will agree with change!