Rather than revolt over playing on blue clay at the Madrid Open, Serena Williams got in the spirit and showed up for Sunday's final in a top that matched the playing surface.

And afterward she started a gender debate as she criticized the top male stars who have complained about playing on the Smurf-colored clay.

Referencing the protests of Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and other men who have bemoaned the blue clay, Williams told Reuters that:

"Women are way tougher than men. That's why we have the babies. You guys could never handle kids."

And, just to drive the point home, Williams added that:

"We ladies don't complain, we just do our best. On the WTA (women's tour) we are real performers, we are not about going out there and being weenies."

Djokovic and Nadal have threatened to skip Madrid's tourney in the future if it doesn't go back to red clay, but Williams no doubt will want to be on it again after yesterday's 6-1, 6-3 rout of top-seeded Victoria Azarenka in the final.

Meantime, check out Serena's latest appearance on the cover of Vogue. Can't remember the last time she looked this lean.