What Is 2001 Grand Prix Hassan II - Doubles

Overview

The 2001 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles was a professional men's tennis event held as part of the ATP International Series. Taking place in Casablanca, Morocco, the tournament featured a competitive doubles draw on outdoor clay courts, a surface known for slower play and longer rallies.

This edition marked a significant moment for Moroccan tennis, with a local pair capturing the title on home soil. The event drew international players but ultimately saw a national victory, boosting local interest in the sport.

• Younes El Aynaoui and Hicham Arazi claimed the title, defeating the American-Australian duo of Michael Hill and Jeff Tarango in straight sets with a score of 6–3, 6–4.
• The tournament was held in April 2001, specifically from April 9 to April 15, aligning with the early clay-court season leading up to Roland Garros.
• All matches were played on outdoor red clay courts, a surface that favors baseline players and promotes longer, strategic rallies.
• As a Grand Prix Hassan II event, it was part of the ATP Tour’s International Series, offering 90 ranking points and prize money to the winners.
• The victory marked a rare doubles title for the Moroccan pair, both better known for their singles careers, especially El Aynaoui, who reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 39.

How It Works

The Grand Prix Hassan II is an ATP-sanctioned tournament held annually in Morocco, featuring both singles and doubles competitions. The doubles format follows standard ATP rules, with teams competing in best-of-three sets, including a match tiebreak in some years.

• Format: Doubles matches use a best-of-three sets format, with a 10-point match tiebreak replacing the third set in some editions, though in 2001, a full third set was played if needed.
• Surface Type: The clay courts at the Complexe Al Amal in Casablanca slow down ball speed, increasing rally length and emphasizing endurance and consistency.
• Player Pairing: Teams can be seeded or unseeded; in 2001, El Aynaoui and Arazi were unseeded but advanced through strong performances on home soil.
• ATP Points: Winners of the doubles event earned 90 ATP ranking points, contributing to their year-end standings and qualification for larger tournaments.
• Prize Money: The 2001 doubles champions received a share of the $375,000 total prize purse, though exact doubles splits were not publicly itemized.
• Tournament Structure: The doubles draw featured 16 teams, with matches played over six days, including qualifying rounds and main draw progression.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2001 edition compares to other years and similar ATP events:

The 2001 tournament stands out due to the Moroccan victory, a rare home win in a field typically dominated by international doubles specialists. While the format and points remained consistent, the local triumph increased national visibility and inspired future Moroccan players.

Why It Matters

The 2001 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles holds significance beyond the match results, influencing Moroccan tennis and ATP tour dynamics in the region. It demonstrated that local players could compete and win against international teams, even in doubles, where coordination and experience are crucial.

• The win boosted morale for Moroccan tennis, encouraging investment in national training programs and youth development.
• It highlighted the importance of home-court advantage, with local knowledge of clay conditions giving the Moroccan pair an edge.
• The tournament helped establish Casablanca as a stable stop on the ATP calendar, contributing to regional sports tourism.
• For El Aynaoui and Arazi, the title added prestige to their careers, both of whom were more renowned for singles achievements.
• It underscored the value of ATP International Series events in providing ranking points and competitive experience outside Grand Slams.
• The match remains a reference point in Moroccan sports history, often cited in discussions about national athletic success.

Overall, the 2001 doubles final was more than just a tennis match—it was a symbolic moment of national pride and a milestone in North African tennis development.