What Is 2014 Open Sud de France

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 Open Sud de France was a men's ATP 250 tennis tournament held from February 3 to 9, 2014, in Montpellier, France. Richard Gasquet won the singles title, defeating Milos Raonic in the final.

Key Facts

The 2014 Open Sud de France took place from February 3 to 9, 2014, in Montpellier, France.
Richard Gasquet won the singles title, defeating Milos Raonic 7–6(7–4), 6–3 in the final.
The tournament was part of the ATP World Tour 250 series, offering 250 ranking points to the winner.
It was the 27th edition of the Open Sud de France, first held in 1987.
Gilles Simon was the defending champion but lost in the quarterfinals to Raonic.

Overview

The 2014 Open Sud de France was a professional men's tennis tournament played on indoor hard courts at the Sud de France Arena in Montpellier. It was part of the ATP World Tour 250 series and marked the 27th edition of the event, which has evolved into a key early-season indoor competition in Europe.

Featuring a 28-player singles draw and 16-team doubles field, the tournament attracted several top-50 players despite not being a mandatory ATP event. The week-long competition culminated in a final between French favorite Richard Gasquet and Canadian powerhouse Milos Raonic, drawing significant local and international attention.

Event dates: The tournament ran from February 3 to 9, 2014, aligning with the European indoor tennis circuit ahead of the French Open later in the year.
Location: Held at the Sud de France Arena, a modern 7,500-seat venue in Montpellier, which has hosted the event since 2010.
Surface: Matches were played on indoor hard courts, a surface known for fast-paced rallies and favoring big servers and aggressive baseliners.
Prize money: The total purse was $480,000, with the singles champion earning $82,000 and 250 ATP ranking points.
Attendance: Over 35,000 fans attended the week, showcasing strong local support for French tennis talent, particularly Gasquet and Gilles Simon.

How It Works

The Open Sud de France follows the standard ATP 250 tournament format, featuring qualifying rounds, main draw singles and doubles, and a structured bracket leading to a final. Players earn ATP ranking points based on how far they advance, incentivizing participation even among mid-tier events.

ATP 250 Series:One of 40 tournaments in the ATP 250 category, offering 250 points to the singles winner and forming the base tier of the ATP Tour.
Draw size: The singles main draw includes 28 players, with 4 wild cards, 3 qualifiers, and 17 direct entries based on rankings.
Seeding: The top four players are seeded, with Richard Gasquet seeded first in 2014 due to his world No. 11 ranking at the time.
Doubles format: A 16-team draw uses best-of-three tiebreak sets, with the 2014 title won by Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Jean-Julien Rojer.
Qualifying rounds: Held before the main draw, 16 players compete for four spots, with matches played in a single-elimination format.
Scoring rules: Matches use standard ATP rules: best-of-three sets, with a 12-point tiebreak at 6–6 in each set except the final set.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2014 Open Sud de France can be better understood by comparing it to other ATP events and prior editions of the tournament.

Category	2014 Open Sud de France	2013 French Open (Grand Slam)	2014 Dubai Championships (ATP 500)
Event Level	ATP 250	Grand Slam	ATP 500
Location	Montpellier, France	Paris, France	Dubai, UAE
Surface	Indoor Hard	Outdoor Clay	Outdoor Hard
Prize Money	$480,000	$3,150,000	$1,275,000
Singles Winner	Richard Gasquet	Rafael Nadal	Roger Federer

This comparison highlights how the Open Sud de France, while smaller in scale and prestige, plays a crucial role in player preparation and ranking development. It offers valuable points and match practice, especially for European players transitioning from the Australian Open to the clay season.

Why It Matters

The 2014 Open Sud de France was significant both for French tennis and the broader ATP calendar, providing a platform for homegrown talent and competitive depth. Its timing in early February makes it a strategic stop for players building form after the Australian Open.

National pride:Richard Gasquet’s victory energized French tennis fans and marked the first time a Frenchman won the title since 2002.
Player development: The tournament offered young French players like Lucas Pouille and Alizé Cornet exposure to top-level competition through wildcard entries.
ATP rankings: Advancing deep in the draw helped players gain crucial points to improve seeding in upcoming tournaments.
Local economy: The event generated an estimated $1.2 million in regional revenue from tourism, hospitality, and media coverage.
Media reach: Broadcast in over 30 countries, the tournament increased visibility for Montpellier and French tennis infrastructure.
Historical continuity: As the 27th edition, it reinforced the tournament’s legacy and long-term viability on the ATP circuit.

The 2014 Open Sud de France exemplified how regional ATP events contribute to the global tennis ecosystem—supporting player growth, national interest, and economic impact beyond the Grand Slam spotlight.