Rafael Nadal has threatened to withdraw from next year’s Madrid Open if it continues to be played on the new blue clay surface. Nadal, the world number two, was beaten 6-3 3-6 7-5 by Fernando Verdasco in the third round on Thursday, blaming the new-look courts for being too slippery.
The organisers say it makes it easier for television viewers to follow the balls, but Nadal is not convinced. However, Nadal is not the only one to criticise the new Madrid surface, world numero uno Novak Djokovic describing the courts as “impossible” to play on.