Madrid Masters' blue clay banned by ATP

 LONDON, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Controversy¹ over Madrid Masters' blue clay has been put to an end as the men's professional tennis ruling body ATP handed a ban on it on Saturday.

"After careful consideration, I have decided² that blue clay courts will not be allowed next year," said ATP executive chairman and president Brad Drewett.

The surface was introduced to the crucial French Open warm-up event for the first time this year, then was widely criticized and even caused a boycott³ by the world's top two players Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Both Djokovic and Nadal insisted that they would not return to the event in 2013 if the blue clay remained.

"I very much believe in innovation and exploring ways to enhance our sport," commented Drewett.

"While the blue clay may have offered better visibility on television, there were clearly issues with the quality of the courts in Madrid this year, which were not acceptable at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament, one of our top events worldwide.

"Regardless of colour, we must first ensure that courts are safe and fair for players," he said.

1 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 boycott   

n./v.(联合)抵制，拒绝参与

参考例句：

• We put the production under a boycott.我们联合抵制该商品。
• The boycott lasts a year until the Victoria board permitsreturn.这个抗争持续了一年直到维多利亚教育局妥协为止。