NITB I thought you re-started a thread about that blue clay but can;t find it.
Yes, it should not have been blue or as slippery just a few weeks from the FO. I agree with that.
But what is great about it is that is sorts the boys from the men when it comes to talent and agressive tennis and for that reason blue clay is actually fantastic.
Those who saw the Tsonga Delpo match today will understand what tennis was all about back in teh 90s. A good shot taken early with pace is a risk worth taking and Dolgo committed a tons of UEs but still managed to win cause his superior eye/hand coordination paid off.
We saw the day before Federer SVing on 1st and 2nd serve...on clay!!!! and again it paid off.
Players have to be creative and adapt to a surface they don;t feel confident moving. But the good thing is that it is not a leveler like the wind would be. It allows players with agressive shots to make a difference and that is clearly a change from the tedious top 4 reaching the finals systematically cause their stamina and footwork can contain the most aggressive players. And when I say top 4, I actually mean top 2.
I do find this Madrid tournament actually exciting to watch and like the fact that there is no guarantee for any player. But I am sure a talented player will win. And that's what matters.
What's wrong with that blue clay?
posted on 13/5/12
What's wrong with putting it after RG? Unless they make the clay more like clay with high bounce why even put it before MC? It would be a better prep for Wimby with the low bounce, don't you think?
posted on 14/5/12
sphair,
I genuinely think the surface is unsafe for play.
That's not because I'm a Nole fan and he hates it.
I have a feeling Federer injured his hip from sliding on it yesterday.
The surface is no good for any prep.
Wimbledon should have a proper grass tournament for preparation, grass is the most humane and glorious surface to play on.
Blue clay was fun for a week, mainly as it produced an opportunity to watch players adjust and it gave us some fast tennis.
I'm sure we could have a week of equally fast tennis without the slippery factor issue.
Madrid back to where it used to be (autumn indoor hard and make it fast)
a grass 1000 masters instead.
posted on 14/5/12
I have a feeling Federer injured his hip from sliding on it yesterday.
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I think grass brings the same problem to Federer. He pulled a muscle in his last 2 Wimby.
posted on 14/5/12
which muscle?
posted on 14/5/12
2010 hamstring. Well documented.
2011. Only me thinks so but anyone watching that 1/4f cannot deny that Federer's returning dropped considerably after the first 2 sets. So probably hamstring too as this is what could have prevented him to return as well as 1 and 2. Returning is probably teh most violent move.
And I also believe that's the problem Murray faced versus Nadal after the first set. Certainly got worse after that first set.
A pulled muscle won't prevent you to run fast, just prevent you to start fast (blockstart).
posted on 14/5/12
"2010 hamstring. Well documented."
you're forgetting I'm a Nole fan Ten
I've done a bit of sport in my life so know about injuries and pulled muscles, and can understand how various movement affects every joint and muscle.
Quite fascinating.
Hamstring full must be very painful as it's such a deep muscle, I'm surprised Fed pulled that particular one, his footwork and movement should not incur it in the upper legs.
I did see him clutch his hip in Madrid final, though, and he is no Murray to do it lightly, in fact that's the first time I've ever seen him do anything like that.
It would'nt surprise me if he inflamed something there due to this surface as he actually was able to even play some defence on it yesterday.
He played a superb match but it may cost him Rome.
posted on 15/5/12
I am not so sure anymore, but in 2011, Fed didn't even play Halle as he wanted to st as he hurt himself during RG IIRC. Cannot recall exactly what he hurt though, something like a groin injury?
posted on 15/5/12
I thought he hurt his back in 2010 and that it also explained the 5 setter against Chela in round 1!?
posted on 15/5/12
I meant Falla (sorry lapses as I have been watching Stepanek vs Chela) for the 1st round 5 setter!
posted on 15/5/12
In 2010 he pulled a muscle while playing Hewitt in Halle. He was cruising in that Halle final and then pulled a groin/hamstring muscle. Not teh back. He is pictured with bandage around his leg.
You are correct that in 2011 he doesn't play Halle. Some say to rest other, he says to rest from injury but he is not believed. Yet he played very well from first to 16th round....Even in those 2 sets versus Tsonga. Honestly, watch teh way he returns Tsonga serve in set 1 and 2 and see him the next 2 three. He simply doesn't try to return first serve. So look aces when typically Federer woudl have put his racquet on it.