Rafael Nadal threatens to boycott Madrid Masters

Madrid: World No.2 Rafael Nadal has threatened to boycott the Madrid Masters after he lost his first match of the season on clay, with Spanish compatriot Fernando Verdasco winning 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.

“I never was in control of the match, I didn`t know how to win a point,” said Nadal, who intimated he will not show up next year unless the controversial blue clay surface he abhors is modified. Nadal’s perfect record on the clay for 2012 was marred as Madrid native Verdasco clawed out the opening set to stun Nadal, Sport24 reports. “Movement is very important for me and I couldn`t move. I couldn`t hit ball the way I wanted,” Nadal said. “I couldn`t close out the match at 5-2. He played better than me," said Nadal, by far the harshest critic of the experimental switch to blue clay. “The ATP and the tournament can do what they want, I tried my best, I`ve trained here since Thursday. I was as prepared as I could be. I was not good enough to adapt my game to this court. If things continue like this, it will be very sad. Next year this will be one less event for my calendar,” he added. Nadal last won Madrid in 2010 when he beat Swiss Roger Federer and had dominated Verdasco including the loss of just four games in a Barcelona semi-final victory two weeks ago. World No.1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic also criticised the condition of the blue clay playing surface in the Mutua Madrid Open after his 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 win over Daniel Gimero-Trimero. Djorkovic struggled in the second set and was visibly annoyed after slipping twice at the start of the third set, which he finally won 6-3 Tuesday. ANI