What Is 2017 Grand Prix Hassan II – Singles

Overview

The 2017 Grand Prix Hassan II – Singles was a professional men's tennis event held in Casablanca, Morocco, as part of the ATP World Tour 250 series. It marked the 33rd edition of the tournament, which has been held annually since 1984, except for a few interruptions.

Played on outdoor red clay courts at the Complexe Al Amal, the tournament attracted a field of 28 players competing in a single-elimination format. The event served as a key early-season clay-court preparation for players ahead of the French Open.

• Pablo Carreño Busta claimed his first ATP title of the 2017 season by winning the championship, defeating Borna Ćorić in three sets.
• The final match concluded with a score of 6–3, 4–6, 6–2, showcasing Carreño Busta’s resilience after dropping the second set.
• As the top seed, Carreño Busta entered the tournament ranked No. 20 in the ATP singles rankings, giving him favorable seeding.
• The event awarded 250 ranking points and $46,820 in prize money to the winner, consistent with ATP 250 standards.
• Notable players who participated included Marcel Granollers, Diego Schwartzman, and Philipp Kohlschreiber, though none advanced past the semifinals.

How It Works

The Grand Prix Hassan II follows a standard ATP World Tour 250 format, with a 28-player main draw, including wildcards, qualifiers, and direct entries based on rankings.

• Draw Size: The singles draw featured 28 players, with 4 receiving byes into the second round based on seeding.
• Surface Type: Matches were played on outdoor red clay, a surface known for slower ball speed and higher bounce, favoring baseline players.
• Qualification: Eight players advanced from a 32-player qualifying draw held the week before the main tournament.
• Seeding: The top eight seeds were determined by ATP rankings, with Carreño Busta as the No. 1 seed.
• Match Format: All matches were best-of-three sets, with a tiebreak at 6–6 in each set except the final set.
• Prize Money: The total prize pool was $545,000, with the winner receiving $46,820 and 250 ATP ranking points.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2017 Grand Prix Hassan II with similar ATP 250 events held on clay courts in the same year.

While the Grand Prix Hassan II offered a smaller prize purse compared to other clay-court events like the Barcelona Open, it remained a vital stop for players seeking form and ranking points on European red clay. Its location in North Africa provides a unique geographic and cultural setting within the ATP calendar.

Why It Matters

The 2017 Grand Prix Hassan II was significant both for player development and the global reach of professional tennis, especially in Africa.

• First ATP title of the year: Carreño Busta’s win marked a breakthrough, helping him climb into the top 15 of the ATP rankings by mid-year.
• African representation: As one of the few ATP events held in Africa, it promotes tennis development across the continent.
• Clay-court preparation: The tournament provided crucial match practice for players transitioning from hard courts to the European clay swing.
• Wildcard opportunities: Local players received wildcards, such as Moroccan Lamine Ouahab, boosting national interest.
• Historical continuity: The event has been held intermittently since 1984, with royal patronage from King Hassan II, lending it prestige.
• ATP calendar diversity: Hosting a tournament in Morocco adds geographic and cultural variety to the global tennis tour.

The 2017 edition reinforced the Grand Prix Hassan II’s role as a strategic and symbolic tournament within the ATP calendar, blending competitive significance with broader developmental goals.