What Is 1997 Grand Prix Hassan II - Doubles

Overview

The 1997 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles was part of the ATP Tour’s international series, held annually in Morocco. This edition marked the 13th running of the tournament, featuring professional doubles teams competing on outdoor clay courts.

Hosted in Casablanca, the event attracted international players seeking ranking points and prize money. The doubles competition culminated in a decisive final match that showcased strong baseline play and coordination between partners.

• Libor Němec and Daniel Vacek emerged as champions, winning their first title together in 1997 with a focused performance across five sets played.
• The final match lasted 89 minutes, with the winning pair converting three of five break point opportunities to secure victory.
• Opponents Tomás Carbonell and Francisco Roig entered the final with strong clay-court credentials but were unable to break serve consistently.
• The tournament was part of the ATP International Series, offering ranking points and a share of the $305,000 total purse.
• Matches were played on red clay courts at the Complexe Al Amal, a surface known for slower ball speed and higher bounce.

How It Works

The Grand Prix Hassan II is an ATP-sanctioned event that follows standard doubles tennis rules, including tiebreaks, changeovers, and best-of-three sets format. Players compete in a 16-team draw with seeding based on rankings.

• Draw Format: The doubles event used a 16-team single-elimination bracket with seeds ensuring top pairs avoided early matchups.
• Match Format: All matches were played as best-of-three sets, with a tiebreak at 6–6 in any set except the final set.
• Scoring System: Standard tennis scoring applied: 15, 30, 40, game, with deuce and advantage rules in effect for close games.
• Court Surface: The red clay surface slowed ball speed, favoring baseline rallies and endurance over quick serves and volleys.
• Player Seeding: Seeding was determined by ATP doubles rankings, with top seeds receiving byes or favorable early-round matchups.
• Prize Money: The doubles winners received $19,300 in prize money, part of the overall $305,000 purse distributed across singles and doubles events.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1997 doubles event compares to other editions and similar tournaments:

The consistency in location and surface highlights the tournament’s identity as a clay-court staple in the ATP calendar. Prize money increased slightly year-over-year, reflecting growing sponsorship and regional investment in Moroccan tennis infrastructure.

Why It Matters

The 1997 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles contributed to the global reach of the ATP Tour and highlighted emerging talent in doubles play. It also underscored Morocco’s role in hosting international sporting events.

• Daniel Vacek added this title to his growing list of doubles successes, including Grand Slam appearances later that year.
• The win improved Libor Němec’s ATP ranking by over 15 positions in the following month’s update.
• Hosting the event elevated Casablanca’s profile as a destination for international sports tourism.
• It marked one of the few ATP events held on the African continent, increasing visibility for tennis in the region.
• The tournament provided local players with exposure to elite-level competition through wildcard entries and practice opportunities.
• Success in 1997 helped secure future funding and sponsorship, ensuring the event’s continuation into the 2000s.

Overall, the 1997 doubles competition was a pivotal moment in the tournament’s history, blending competitive excellence with regional significance.