[pov]

Next for Madrid? Fluorescent balls, says Tiriac
Ticker - Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Madrid tournament owner Ion Tiriac tells DPA that despite the controversy over his selection of blue clay for the event, he is already working on another innovation: Phosphorescent green or orange balls. "We will improve the ball well," he said. "We think it fluorescent green or fluorescent orange, which grabs more light and works best in contrast with the blue clay."

Tiriac added that he has yet to consult the ATP about the new balls. He did admit that the new surface is too slippery and needs to be fixed, but added that, "two weeks ago in Monte Carlo [on red clay] three players broke their legs. Today, after five days of the tournament, I am more convinced than ever that the blue clay is a great step forward."

The Romanian does not believe there is danger that ATP will force the tournament to return to red clay next year.

 

[Curcubeu]

I love my compatriots.

He also wants to bring the blue clay to ATP Bucharest, but it's still too expensive.

I don't see any need to change the balls, though. The blue surface already solves the view problem, in my opinion.

 

[Haseo.]

 

[hobahobaspirit]

Somebody incarcerates that man before he kills tennis please.

 

[Excelscior]

He reminds me of the old Oakland A's owner (US Baseball), Charley Finley.

He proposed and introduced several innovations to the game that many fans and owners thought were crazy at the time, while some did stick.

Like Tiriac, Finley was always pushing the envelope. Peas in a pod.

 

[BurnsTennis]

Hehe, Tiriac clearly has grand plans.

The blue clay looks nice on television but I still believe Madrid is a waste of a tournament on the calendar, I've been saying that since 2009. We already had Rome before Roland Garros.

 

[tennislover22]

I knew there must have been a person with big ego behind this blue court decision.

He is getting the attention he wanted, and he is going for even more to stroke his ego.

 

[LightWarrior]

So now despite of all the players' protests to add insult to injury this guy is making a fool of himself now. What a turd.

 

[tennislover22]

So now despite of all the players' protests to add insult to injury this guy is making a fool of himself now. What a turd.

Frankly, I don't think he sees palyers reaction as a setback.
He rather seems to enjoy the attention it brought him as an inovator, and he is going for whacky ideas to stay in the spot light.

 

[SVK]

Somebody should tell him that 1st of April was month ago.

 

[tejmeglekvár]

gotta love how he trolls the tennis world.

I´m surprised there is no dresscode actually. Players wearing blue should be penalized.