SPORTS: Tennis will give blue 'Smurf' clay a try at Madrid Open (USA TODAY Article)

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Tennis will give blue 'Smurf' clay a try at Madrid Open (USA TODAY Article)

May 03, 2012

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By Tom Weir, USA TODAY

Updated 22m ago

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Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Tennis tends to be one of the most conservative sports, which probably stems from its English roots and the entrenched tradition of wearing all white at Wimbledon.

But the Spanish overseers of the game have decided to take their version of tennis in a new direction. And ifSalvador Dali and Pablo Picasso were around to see this artsy twist that's about to be taken they no doubt would be proud of their countrymen.

Blue clay – which rapidly is being referenced as "Smurf" clay – will be the playing surface when the Madrid Open begins this weekend.

It will be the first time a top-tier tournament is played on blue clay instead of the traditional red.

The AP reports that Roger Federer and Andy Murray have said they're approaching it with an open mind, but Spain's greatest player, Rafael Nadal, is opposed.

"I don't support that. The history of the clay court season was on red; it wasn't on blue," said Nadal at the Monte Carlo Open.

Nadal, generally considered the best clay court player in the men's game today, added that: "I love all improvements (but this) is a mistake. The players (don't) win nothing. Tennis doesn't win nothing. One person wins. Only the owner of the tournament wins."

The tournament's organizers contend the ball can be followed better on blue clay, but some players have said that judging bounces is more difficult.

The tournament's website has a page that explains how the blue clay is made. (It also offers a translation from Spanish.)

And it's also worth noting that the Madrid Open is played at La Caja Magica (the Magic Box), an ultra-modern complex that has multiple retracting roofs. Check out the time-lapse video of the blue clay being installed.