What Is 1998 Grand Prix Hassan II - Doubles

Overview

The 1998 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles was a professional men's tennis event held as part of the ATP Tour. It took place in Casablanca, Morocco, from April 6 to April 12, 1998, on outdoor clay courts at the Complexe Al Amal. The tournament was part of the ATP World Series, a category that included mid-tier events on the men's professional circuit.

As the doubles component of the Grand Prix Hassan II, the event featured an international field of 16 pairs competing in a single-elimination format. The tournament has historically served as a springboard for clay-court specialists ahead of the European clay season. The 1998 edition was the 14th iteration of the event, originally founded in 1984 to honor King Hassan II of Morocco.

• Àlex Corretja and Albert Costa won the title, defeating the unseeded pair of Hendrik Jan Davids and Daniel Orsanic in straight sets, 6–3, 6–4.
• The tournament featured a draw of 16 teams, with four seeded pairs based on ATP rankings at the time of entry.
• Corretja and Costa did not drop a set throughout the tournament, showcasing consistent performance across all three rounds.
• The event was held on red clay, a surface known for slower ball speed and higher bounce, favoring baseline players.
• As ATP World Series champions, Corretja and Costa earned 90 ranking points and a share of the $18,000 prize money allocated for doubles.

How It Works

The Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles followed standard ATP doubles tournament procedures, including seeding, draw placement, and match format. Matches were best-of-three sets with a match tiebreak replacing the third set in some early rounds, though the final used a full third set format.

• Format: The tournament used a 16-team single-elimination draw, with all matches played to best-of-three sets, including a full third set in the final.
• Seeding: The top four doubles teams were seeded based on ATP rankings to prevent early matchups between top pairs.
• Surface: Played on outdoor red clay, the surface slowed ball speed and emphasized endurance and heavy topspin, typical of European clay events.
• Points & Prize Money: Winners received 90 ATP ranking points and a portion of the $18,000 doubles prize pool distributed among finalists and semifinalists.
• Player Nationalities: The 1998 event included teams from Spain, Argentina, the Netherlands, and Morocco, reflecting its international participation.
• Tournament Tier: Classified as an ATP World Series event, it ranked below the ATP Masters Series but above Challenger-level tournaments.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1998 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles to other contemporary ATP events highlights its position in the tour hierarchy and surface-specific significance.

The table illustrates how the 1998 Grand Prix Hassan II compared to other clay and hard-court events. While not a Grand Slam, it offered valuable ranking points and preparation for the French Open. Its World Series status placed it above Challenger events but below elite Masters tournaments.

Why It Matters

The 1998 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles holds historical significance for players, the ATP Tour structure, and Moroccan tennis development. It contributed to the clay-court season buildup and highlighted Spanish dominance in doubles during that era.

• Albert Costa used this win as part of his strong 1998 clay season, later helping Spain in Davis Cup play.
• The tournament reinforced Morocco’s role as a host for international ATP events in Africa, a rare distinction.
• Victory gave Corretja and Costa confidence ahead of the European clay swing, including Roland Garros.
• The event provided local exposure to elite tennis, inspiring Moroccan players like Hicham Arazi, who competed in singles.
• As a World Series event, it offered crucial points for mid-ranked teams aiming to qualify for bigger tournaments.
• The 1998 edition demonstrated the competitive depth of ATP doubles, with unseeded teams reaching the final rounds.

Overall, the 1998 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles was a pivotal stop on the ATP calendar, blending international competition with regional significance and contributing to the season-long momentum of top clay-court specialists.