Pro Tour Feeling Blue....

Well the pros are in Madrid this week and the big story is the fact that this year the tournament directors switched the surface to BLUE clay from the traditonal red. The response from the players has been pretty negative so far with many top players saying it is too slippery and plays much faster than traditional clay. Coming from a place where we have blue football fields, I can understand the tournament's desire to create some marketing buzz. I can also see how their explanation that it makes it easier to track the ball on TV would be true. However, I don't know how the ATP and WTA approved the switch without garnering any early feedback from their players. I know the ATP has said that this is essentially a "test" year and the surface will be evaluated after the tournament. With that said, it just seems like a bit more player involvment this year would have potentially cut back on the negative press they are getting right now. I am all for innovation that brings more people to the sport, I just think there are ways to innovate while still honoring tradition. What do you think? Do you like a radical change like blue clay? Or would you like to see tradition stay in place?

"Champions keep playing until they get it right."
Billie Jean King

Clown Shoes

A certain unnamed person in our office just received her set of the most ridiculous tennis shoes ever in the mail today. The best way I can describe them is that a unicorn threw up on a pair of shoes. However, I bet she will do well in them as her opponents will either be blinded or be too busy trying to figure out why those shoes exist to play properly. I will include a picture when I can but I thought I should give you fair warning that it is coming first.........

Monte Carlo Masters

This past weekend, Nadal and Djokovic met for the 8th straight time in a final. This time Nadal was able to pick up a victory. I would have loved to watch this match, but unfortunately I don't get Tennis Channel. Total bummer that the match was not broadcast more widely. I have to give credit to Djokovic for even being out on court after the death of his grandfather earlier in the week. I caught up on highlights and it was pretty clear he wasn't 100% mentally in the match (understandable). That being said, I finally saw Nadal start serving like he did during the 2010 US Open when he completed his career grand slam. I wonder if he will be able to use this match to turn the corner in his recent struggles against Djokovic. I also expect Djokovic to be ready to use the French Open as his own personal tribute to his grandfather though. Let me know if you think this is a turning point for Nadal or if it is was just an understandable bump in the road for the Djokovic train.