What Is 2002 Grand Prix Hassan II - Singles

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2002 Grand Prix Hassan II – Singles was a men's tennis tournament held in Casablanca, Morocco, from April 8 to 14, 2002. Guillermo Cañas of Argentina won the title by defeating Dominik Hrbatý in the final, 6–1, 7–6(7–5). It was part of the ATP International Series, played on outdoor clay courts.

Key Facts

The 2002 Grand Prix Hassan II took place from April 8–14, 2002, in Casablanca, Morocco.
Guillermo Cañas won the singles title, defeating Dominik Hrbatý 6–1, 7–6(7–5) in the final.
The tournament was part of the ATP International Series, categorized under the 2002 ATP Tour.
It was played on outdoor red clay courts at the Complexe Al Amal.
This was the 18th edition of the Grand Prix Hassan II, first held in 1984.

Overview

The 2002 Grand Prix Hassan II – Singles was a professional men's tennis event held as part of the ATP Tour. Taking place in Casablanca, Morocco, the tournament featured top international players competing on outdoor red clay courts. It marked the 18th edition of the event, which has been hosted annually since 1984, except for a few gaps.

As an ATP International Series tournament, it attracted a competitive field despite not being a top-tier event. The week-long competition culminated in a final between Guillermo Cañas and Dominik Hrbatý. Cañas emerged victorious in straight sets, claiming his first title of the 2002 season.

Event Dates: The tournament ran from April 8 to April 14, 2002, aligning with the early clay-court season ahead of the French Open.
Champion: Argentina’s Guillermo Cañas won the singles title, defeating Slovakia’s Dominik Hrbatý in the final with a score of 6–1, 7–6(7–5).
Surface: Matches were played on outdoor red clay courts, a surface known for slower ball speed and higher bounce, favoring baseline players.
Location: The event was held at the Complexe Al Amal in Casablanca, a venue that has hosted the tournament for decades.
Prize Money: The total prize purse was $381,000, with the winner receiving approximately $43,000 and 90 ATP ranking points.

How It Works

The Grand Prix Hassan II is a men’s professional tennis tournament structured under ATP Tour regulations. It follows a standard single-elimination format for both singles and doubles draws, with 32 players in the singles main draw.

Format: The singles competition used a 32-player draw with best-of-three sets, including a tiebreak in the final set if necessary.
ATP Classification: In 2002, it was part of the ATP International Series, one tier below the Masters events, offering 90 points to the winner.
Seeding: The top four seeds received first-round byes, reducing their path through the early rounds and rewarding higher-ranked players.
Player Entry: Entry was determined by ATP rankings, with wildcards granted to local and regional players, such as Moroccan qualifier Hicham Arazi.
Clay-Court Strategy: The clay surface encouraged longer rallies, higher endurance demands, and emphasized topspin and movement.
Tournament History: First held in 1984, the 2002 edition was the 18th iteration of the event, named in honor of King Hassan II of Morocco.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2002 Grand Prix Hassan II compares to other ATP events of similar stature during the 2002 season:

Tournament	Location	Surface	ATP Category	Winner (2002)
Grand Prix Hassan II	Casablanca, Morocco	Clay	International Series	Guillermo Cañas
U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships	Houston, USA	Clay	International Series	Andre Agassi
Barcelona Open	Barcelona, Spain	Clay	International Series	Carlos Moyá
Miami Masters	Miami, USA	Hard	Masters Series	Andre Agassi
Rome Masters	Rome, Italy	Clay	Masters Series	Carlos Moyá

While the Grand Prix Hassan II shared the clay surface and ATP International Series status with tournaments like Barcelona and Houston, it offered fewer ranking points and prize money than Masters events. Its location in North Africa made it a unique stop on the tour, drawing players preparing for the European clay swing.

Why It Matters

The 2002 Grand Prix Hassan II played a significant role in the ATP calendar, especially for clay-court specialists and players returning from injury. It provided valuable ranking points and match practice ahead of bigger clay tournaments like Roland Garros.

Regional Representation: As the only ATP event in North Africa, it promoted tennis development across the Arab world and sub-Saharan Africa.
Player Development: Younger or lower-ranked players used it as a platform to earn points and gain experience against top-100 opponents.
Clay Preparation: The event helped players adjust to clay-court dynamics, including slide mechanics and extended rallies.
Historical Legacy: The tournament honors King Hassan II, reflecting Morocco’s commitment to international sports diplomacy.
Economic Impact: It brought tourism and media attention to Casablanca, boosting local visibility and infrastructure investment.
ATP Diversity: The inclusion of a Moroccan event enhanced the geographic diversity of the ATP Tour schedule.

Though not a marquee title, the 2002 Grand Prix Hassan II remains a notable chapter in tennis history, symbolizing the sport’s global reach and the importance of mid-tier tournaments in player progression.