The Madrid Open is remembered not just for the memorable moments on court but the time they opted to use blue clay.
Outside of the traditional red or orange clay, green clay is used in the United States, but back in 2012, the Spanish capital decided to shake things up.
It was an experiment that was short lived however, as the red clay was back at the tournament the following year.
But former player Sam Querrey, thinks the Madrid Open should have kept the blue clay a little longer.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesWhy does Sam Querrey think the Madrid Open should have kept the blue clay?
In 2012 the Madrid Open opted for blue clay in a bid to improve the viewing experience for fans watching on television.
But after the tournament players such as the tournament’s most successful player Rafael Nadal, and also Novak Djokovic, threatened to boycott future editions of the event.
Therefore the decision was made to revert back to red clay, but Querrey explains the blue clay in Madrid should have remained.
“So awesome. Watching blue clay, like from laying in bed, turn it on in Madrid and it’s blue and you could see the ball,” the American said on the Nothing Major podcast.
“This morning I turned on Madrid and the court was half sunny and half shady, it was so difficult to see the ball.
“I get the purists or if you’re at the event it’s easier, but on TV there was nothing better than watching Madrid with blue clay. We only got it for one year.”
Photo by AMA/Corbis via Getty ImagesWho won the 2012 Madrid Open with blue clay?
One edition of the Madrid Open with blue clay was won by Roger Federer.
The Swiss Maestro began his campaign against the big-serving Milos Raonic, who won the first set before Federer completed a 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 comeback.
Straight set victories against Richard Gasquet and David Ferrer followed, before Federer defeated Janko Tipsarević in the semi-finals.
Federer played Tomas Berdych in the final, and found himself in trouble after losing the first set to the Czech player.
But as he did in his opening match, Federer dug deep and claimed a 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 win to claim his third Madrid Open title.