The Magic Box is a cold-looking place. The blue clay doesn't help. If it's a good surface, so be it, but so far, the players are not happy about it. I've watched a few matches and there is a lot more slipping than I've seen on other clay courts. Well, they'll have a year to get it right.
I do not think that the visibility issue matters if you have a good video speed or television feed. I can see the ball easily regardless of surface. In fact, pale blue hardcourts are a little harder on visibility than dark blue or purple or red or green. It's a non-issue to me.
What really matters is whether the players like it. Djokovic had a terrible time out there today with sliding in a way that often did not let him stop.
If it works, and the television people insist at other tournaments, Tiriac will make millions more.
A point: The blue clay interrupts the players' preparations for Roland Garros. They go from red to blue and then, IF they play in Rome, back to red. Not good for The early rounds at the French to have players getting used to the red after the blue.
The Magic Box is a cold-looking place. The blue clay doesn't help. If it's a good surface, so be it, but so far, the players are not happy about it. I've watched a few matches and there is a lot more slipping than I've seen on other clay courts. Well, they'll have a year to get it right.
I do not think that the visibility issue matters if you have a good video speed or television feed. I can see the ball easily regardless of surface. In fact, pale blue hardcourts are a little harder on visibility than dark blue or purple or red or green. It's a non-issue to me.
What really matters is whether the players like it. Djokovic had a terrible time out there today with sliding in a way that often did not let him stop.
If it works, and the television people insist at other tournaments, Tiriac will make millions more.
A point: The blue clay interrupts the players' preparations for Roland Garros. They go from red to blue and then, IF they play in Rome, back to red. Not good for The early rounds at the French to have players getting used to the red after the blue.