The reason Rafael Nadal considered skipping the 2012 Madrid Open

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Rafael Nadal finished his career with an impressive haul of five Madrid Open titles, a record that still stands as the most in tournament history.

He picked up those wins in 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2017. The “King of Clay” also finished with an overall win rate of over 83% in Madrid, which was his third-highest among all Masters events.

In fact, he was so frustrated with conditions at the time that he publicly stated he might never return.

Rafael Nadal frustrated by blue clay experiment at Madrid Open

Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images

In 2012, the Madrid Open organisers introduced blue clay, hoping it would make matches easier to follow on TV. But the change was not well received, and Rafael Nadal was among its most outspoken critics.

The surface didn’t just look different – players found it played differently too. Nadal felt it was slower and bouncier than traditional clay, a far cry from what he expected from a major stop on the clay-court circuit.

He made his feelings clear, saying at the time: “My thoughts haven’t changed on the concept and organisation of this tournament. My criticism is not directed at the tournament but at the ATP, which should never have allowed such a change at a tournament of this scale.”

Nadal also suggested that playing in Madrid wasn’t just about dealing with one-off conditions but adjusting to a setup that didn’t feel right for that part of the tour. He said: “This is a clay-court event that is least like a clay-court event. There is always a chance of playing worse here.”

He went further, warning there could be consequences if changes weren’t made: “I only speak my mind for the good of the tour and the players so that we have a clay tournament with few problems. If things continue [there] will be one less tournament in my calendar.”

Novak Djokovic joins Rafael Nadal in criticising the Madrid Open

The Madrid Open quickly learned from their mistake and moved away from blue clay from the 2013 tournament onward.

Federer, meanwhile, was more diplomatic about the situation, but he did sympathise with Nadal’s position.

“I understand his disappointment,” said Federer. He was against (blue clay) from the start and so was I. He never felt comfortable on the surface. It is a tough surface and that can only add to the anger even more.”

Fans also didn’t like the change of tradition at the Madrid Open, which was part of the reason why it was changed so quickly.

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