What Is 2018 Grand Prix Hassan II

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 Grand Prix Hassan II was a men's ATP tennis tournament held in Casablanca, Morocco, from April 9 to April 15, 2018. It was the 34th edition of the event, played on outdoor clay courts at the Complexe Al Amal.

Key Facts

Held from April 9–15, 2018, in Casablanca, Morocco
34th edition of the Grand Prix Hassan II
Played on outdoor red clay courts
Part of the ATP 250 series with a prize purse of $566,415
Federico Delbonis won the singles title, defeating Evans in the final

Overview

The 2018 Grand Prix Hassan II was a professional men's tennis tournament held as part of the ATP World Tour 250 series. It took place at the Complexe Al Amal in Casablanca, Morocco, marking the only ATP-level tournament hosted in Africa that year.

Featuring a 28-player singles draw and 16-team doubles draw, the event attracted international players competing on outdoor clay courts. The tournament has a long history, dating back to 1984, and serves as a key early-season clay-court preparation event ahead of Roland Garros.

Location: The tournament was held at the Complexe Al Amal, a well-maintained tennis facility in Casablanca with a capacity of approximately 5,500 spectators.
Dates: Play ran from April 9 to April 15, 2018, fitting into the ATP calendar just before the European clay swing intensified.
Surface: Matches were played on outdoor red clay courts, a surface known for slower ball speed and higher bounce, favoring baseline players.
Prize Money: The total purse was $566,415, with the winner receiving $96,000 and 250 ATP ranking points.
Attendance: Despite its remote location, the event drew consistent crowds, with over 20,000 fans attending across the week, supported by local enthusiasm and royal patronage.

Player Performance & Results

The 2018 edition featured a mix of seeded and unseeded players, with several upsets altering the expected outcomes. The tournament showcased strong performances on clay, particularly from players with experience on the surface.

Federico Delbonis: The Argentine player claimed his third ATP title by winning the final in three sets against Daniel Evans, with a score of 6–3, 6–2.
Daniel Evans: The British player reached his first ATP final since 2013, defeating higher-ranked opponents including Borna Ćorić in the semifinals.
Top Seed:Guido Pella, ranked No. 34 at the time, entered as the top seed but was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Evans.
Wildcard Entry: Moroccan player Hicham Arazi received a wildcard but lost in the first round to eventual champion Delbonis.
Doubles Champions: The doubles title was won by Philipp Petzschner and Tim Pütz, who defeated Rameez Junaid and Adil Shamasdin in straight sets.
ATP Points: The winner earned 250 ranking points, helping Delbonis climb back into the ATP top 50 following injury setbacks.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2018 Grand Prix Hassan II compares to other ATP 250 events in terms of prize money, surface, and player participation:

Tournament	Location	Surface	Prize Money (2018)	Winner
Grand Prix Hassan II	Casablanca, Morocco	Clay	$566,415	Federico Delbonis
U.S. National Indoor	Memphis, USA	Hard	$545,000	Steve Johnson
Chengdu Open	Chengdu, China	Hard	$534,165	João Sousa
Antwerp Open	Antwerp, Belgium	Hard	$576,665	Diego Schwartzman
Swiss Open	Gstaad, Switzerland	Clay	$580,000	Marco Chiudinelli

The Grand Prix Hassan II stood out for being the only ATP event on the African continent in 2018. While its prize purse was slightly below average for ATP 250 events, its historical significance and clay-court focus made it a unique stop on the tour. The tournament benefits from strong support by the Moroccan royal family, ensuring stable funding and organization.

Why It Matters

The 2018 Grand Prix Hassan II played a significant role in promoting tennis across Africa and providing competitive clay-court experience. Its continuation highlights the ATP’s efforts to maintain geographic diversity in the tour schedule.

Global Representation: As the only ATP tournament in Africa, it promotes inclusivity and gives African fans access to top-tier tennis.
Player Development: Young and returning players, like Delbonis post-injury, use it to regain ranking points and confidence.
Clay-Court Preparation: Serves as a strategic lead-in to the European clay season, especially for players targeting Roland Garros.
Economic Impact: Brings tourism and international media attention to Casablanca, boosting local businesses during the event week.
Cultural Significance: Supported by King Mohammed VI, the tournament strengthens Morocco’s role in international sports diplomacy.
Historical Legacy: Now in its fourth decade, the event has hosted legends like Thomas Muster and Juan Carlos Ferrero, adding to its prestige.

The 2018 edition reinforced the tournament’s value as both a competitive and cultural event. With continued support, the Grand Prix Hassan II remains a vital, though often underrecognized, part of the ATP calendar.