What Is 2017 Grand Prix Hassan II

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Grand Prix Hassan II was a men's ATP tennis tournament held in Casablanca, Morocco, from April 3 to April 9, 2017. It was the 33rd edition of the event, played on outdoor clay courts, with Spain's Pablo Carreño Busta winning the singles title.

Key Facts

The 2017 Grand Prix Hassan II took place from April 3 to April 9, 2017.
It was the 33rd edition of the ATP tournament held in Casablanca, Morocco.
Pablo Carreño Busta won the singles title, defeating Borna Ćorić in the final.
The tournament was played on outdoor red clay courts at the Complexe Al Amal.
It was an ATP 250 series event offering $546,725 in prize money.

Overview

The 2017 Grand Prix Hassan II was a professional men's tennis tournament part of the ATP World Tour 250 series. Held in Casablanca, Morocco, it marked the 33rd edition of the event and took place from April 3 to April 9, 2017. The tournament was played on outdoor red clay courts at the Complexe Al Amal, a venue known for its high-altitude conditions affecting ball bounce and speed.

As one of the few ATP events held in Africa, the Grand Prix Hassan II holds cultural and sporting significance. It attracts players looking to gain clay-court experience ahead of the European season, including Roland Garros. The 2017 edition featured a mix of experienced players and rising stars, contributing to competitive matches and strong spectator engagement.

April 3–9, 2017: The tournament dates spanned one week, aligning with the ATP calendar’s early clay-court swing.
ATP 250 Series: The event offered 250 ranking points to the singles champion, influencing player standings.
Pablo Carreño Busta: The Spanish player won the singles title, defeating Borna Ćorić 6–1, 6–2 in the final.
$546,725 prize pool: The total purse reflected standard ATP 250 levels, with the winner receiving $88,010.
Complexe Al Amal: Located in Casablanca, this venue has hosted the tournament since 2016 after a relocation from Marrakech.

How It Works

The Grand Prix Hassan II follows standard ATP Tour 250 tournament structure, featuring qualifying rounds, a 28-player singles draw, and a 16-team doubles draw. Players earn ranking points based on their performance, with the format designed to balance competitive integrity and scheduling efficiency.

Singles Draw Size:28 players compete in a single-elimination format, including four wild cards and seven qualifiers.
Doubles Format:16 teams play best-of-three sets, including a match tiebreak in lieu of a third set.
Clay Court Surface:Red clay slows ball speed and increases rally length, favoring baseline players with strong endurance.
Ranking Points: The winner earns 250 ATP points, with 165 for the finalist and decreasing increments for earlier rounds.
Altitude Effect: At approximately 60 meters above sea level, Casablanca’s elevation slightly reduces air resistance, subtly altering ball trajectory.
Player Entry Criteria: Rankings, wild cards, and qualifiers determine participation, with the top seed receiving a first-round bye.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 Grand Prix Hassan II compares to other ATP 250 events in terms of prize money, points, and surface:

Tournament	Surface	Prize Money	Winner Points	Location
Grand Prix Hassan II 2017	Clay (outdoor)	$546,725	250	Casablanca, Morocco
Barcelona Open	Clay	$2,182,425	500	Barcelona, Spain
U.S. National Indoor	Hard	$620,190	250	Memphis, USA
Rio Open	Clay	$1,584,205	500	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Antwerp Open	Hard (indoor)	$542,560	250	Antwerp, Belgium

The 2017 Grand Prix Hassan II offered prize money comparable to other ATP 250 events, though less than 500-level tournaments. Its unique status as the only ATP event on the African continent adds symbolic value beyond financial metrics, promoting tennis development in underrepresented regions.

Why It Matters

The 2017 Grand Prix Hassan II had lasting implications for player development, regional visibility, and the ATP calendar. By providing a competitive clay-court platform in Africa, it diversified the tour’s geographical footprint and offered players early-season preparation.

Historic Representation:Morocco remains the only African nation to host an ATP Tour event, enhancing regional sports visibility.
Player Development: Young talents like Borna Ćorić used the event to gain experience against top-tier competition.
Clay-Court Preparation: The tournament serves as a strategic warm-up for the French Open season on similar surfaces.
Economic Impact: The event brought tourism and media attention to Casablanca, boosting local businesses.
ATP Diversity: Hosting tournaments outside Europe and the Americas supports the globalization of tennis.
Legacy: The 2017 edition reinforced the tournament’s role in developing North African tennis infrastructure.

Overall, the 2017 Grand Prix Hassan II was more than a standard ATP 250 event—it was a milestone in tennis inclusivity and international reach. Its success continues to influence discussions about expanding the ATP Tour to new global markets.