What Is 2004 Grand Prix Hassan II - Singles

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2004 Grand Prix Hassan II – Singles was a men's tennis tournament held in Casablanca, Morocco, from April 19 to 25, 2004. Unseeded player Santiago Ventura won the title by defeating Albert Montañés in the final.

Key Facts

The 2004 Grand Prix Hassan II – Singles took place from April 19 to April 25, 2004
The tournament was held on outdoor clay courts at the Complexe Al Amal in Casablanca, Morocco
Santiago Ventura won the singles title without being seeded in the tournament
Ventura defeated fellow Spaniard Albert Montañés in the final with a score of 6–3, 1–6, 7–6(7–5)
This was the 18th edition of the Grand Prix Hassan II and part of the ATP International Series

Overview

The 2004 Grand Prix Hassan II – Singles was a professional men's tennis event held as part of the ATP Tour. It took place during the week of April 19 in Casablanca, Morocco, marking the 18th edition of the tournament. Played on outdoor clay courts, it served as a key early-season clay-court preparation event for players ahead of the European clay swing, including the French Open.

Unseeded Spanish player Santiago Ventura emerged as the champion, capturing his first ATP Tour title. He defeated compatriot Albert Montañés in a tightly contested final, winning 6–3, 1–6, 7–6(7–5). The tournament featured a 32-player singles draw and attracted several notable ATP professionals despite its modest ranking points and prize money.

Event Duration: The tournament ran from April 19 to April 25, 2004, spanning a full week of competition across qualifying and main draw rounds.
Location: Matches were held at the Complexe Al Amal in Casablanca, a long-standing venue for the Grand Prix Hassan II since its inception.
Surface Type: The event was played on outdoor red clay courts, a surface known for longer rallies and favoring baseline players.
Winner's Nationality: Santiago Ventura, representing Spain, won the title without having been seeded, making his victory a significant underdog achievement.
Final Score: The championship match concluded with a third-set tiebreak: 6–3, 1–6, 7–6(7–5), highlighting the close nature of the contest.

How It Works

The Grand Prix Hassan II is an ATP Tour event that follows standard professional tennis tournament structures, including qualifying rounds, a 32-player singles draw, and best-of-three-set matches. It is one of the few ATP events held in Africa, contributing to the sport’s global reach.

ATP Series: The 2004 edition was part of the ATP International Series, a tier below the Masters 1000 events, offering 250 ranking points to the winner.
Player Entry: Entry was determined by ATP rankings, with 28 direct acceptances, 3 qualifiers, and 1 wildcard granted by organizers.
Match Format: All singles matches were best-of-three sets, with a tiebreak played at 6–6 in any set except the deciding set.
Prize Money: The total prize purse was $380,000, with $43,000 awarded to the singles champion, Santiago Ventura.
Seeding System: Eight players were seeded based on rankings, though unseeded Ventura won the title, defeating two seeded players en route.
Clay-Court Strategy: The slow red clay surface favored players with strong endurance, topspin, and defensive skills, influencing match dynamics.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2004 Grand Prix Hassan II with other ATP events of similar tier and surface during the same season.

Tournament	Location	Surface	Prize Money	Winner (2004)
Grand Prix Hassan II	Casablanca, Morocco	Clay	$380,000	Santiago Ventura
Barcelona Open	Barcelona, Spain	Clay	$1,125,000	Carlos Moyá
Monte Carlo Masters	Monte Carlo, Monaco	Clay	$2,450,000	Gastón Gaudio
Hamburg Masters	Hamburg, Germany	Clay	$2,450,000	Roger Federer
Estoril Open	Estoril, Portugal	Clay	$380,000	Alberto Martín

Compared to other clay-court tournaments in 2004, the Grand Prix Hassan II had a modest prize pool but shared the same surface and scheduling purpose: preparing players for the French Open. Its location in Africa makes it unique among ATP events, offering players diverse competitive experiences.

Why It Matters

The 2004 Grand Prix Hassan II holds significance for both tennis history and regional sports development. As one of the few ATP events hosted in Africa, it underscores the global reach of professional tennis and Morocco’s role in promoting the sport on the continent.

Historical First: It was the first ATP tournament ever held in Africa, inaugurated in 1984 and continuing annually with few exceptions.
Underdog Victory: Santiago Ventura’s unseeded win demonstrated that lower-ranked players could still triumph on the ATP Tour.
Regional Impact: The event boosted tennis visibility in North Africa and inspired local talent development programs.
Clay-Court Preparation: Players used the tournament to fine-tune their clay-court games ahead of major European events.
ATP Diversity: Hosting an ATP event in Morocco diversified the tour’s geographical footprint beyond Europe, Americas, and Asia.
Legacy: The tournament continues today, maintaining its status as a symbol of tennis inclusivity and international growth.

The 2004 edition remains a notable chapter in the tournament’s history, remembered for its competitive final and contribution to global tennis representation.