What Is 2019 Grand Prix Hassan II - Doubles

Overview

The 2019 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles was a professional men's tennis doubles event held as part of the ATP Tour 250 series. Taking place in Marrakech, Morocco, the tournament featured an international field competing on outdoor red clay courts, a surface known for slower rallies and higher bounces.

Organized annually by the Moroccan Tennis Federation, the Grand Prix Hassan II has been a staple of the spring clay-court season since 1984. The 2019 edition marked the 35th iteration of the event and served as a key warm-up for players preparing for the European clay swing, including Roland Garros.

• Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury claimed their first ATP title together by winning the 2019 doubles final, defeating the unseeded pair of Ariel Behar and Gonzalo Escobar.
• The final score was 6–2, 7–6(7–4), with Ram and Salisbury dominating the first set and narrowly edging the second in a tiebreak.
• The tournament was held at the Royal Tennis Club de Marrakech, a venue that has hosted the event since 2016 after moving from Casablanca.
• As an ATP 250 event, the doubles draw featured 16 teams, with eight seeded pairs based on ATP rankings at the time of entry.
• Notably, the 2019 doubles champions did not drop a set throughout the entire tournament, showcasing consistent performance across three matches.

How It Works

The doubles format at the Grand Prix Hassan II follows standard ATP Tour rules, with modifications for seeding, scheduling, and match structure. Matches are best-of-three sets, with a match tiebreak replacing the third set in most ATP 250 events, though in 2019, a full third set was played.

• Format: All doubles matches were best-of-three sets, with a 10-point match tiebreak if the third set was needed; however, in 2019, a full third set was used.
• Seeding: The top eight doubles teams were seeded based on combined ATP rankings, ensuring higher-ranked pairs avoided early-round matchups.
• Draw Size: The doubles draw consisted of 16 teams, with 12 pairs qualifying through rankings and four receiving wild cards from organizers.
• Surface: Played on outdoor red clay, the surface slowed ball speed and increased rally length, favoring players with strong baseline consistency.
• Points & Prize Money: Winners earned 250 ATP ranking points and received $19,310 as their share of the $541,520 total prize pool.
• Wild Cards: Four wild card entries were granted, including Moroccan pair Hicham Arazi and Reda El Amrani, who received local support.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2019 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles compares to similar ATP events in terms of structure and rewards:

The Grand Prix Hassan II ranks among the smaller ATP 250 clay events in terms of prize money and draw size, but it remains significant for players from Africa and the Middle East. Its location in Marrakech offers a unique competitive environment, with high altitude slightly affecting ball trajectory and player endurance.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Grand Prix Hassan II – Doubles was more than just a regional tournament—it played a role in shaping the early-season clay performance of rising doubles specialists. The victory by Ram and Salisbury signaled the emergence of a new top-tier team on the ATP Tour.

• Launching a top partnership: Ram and Salisbury’s win marked the beginning of a successful doubles collaboration that would later include Grand Slam titles.
• Boost for Moroccan tennis: Hosting an ATP event elevates Morocco’s profile in international tennis and inspires local youth participation.
• Clay-court development: The event provides valuable experience for players adapting to European clay ahead of Roland Garros and other majors.
• ATP ranking opportunities: Players outside the top 100 gain crucial points to improve seeding in larger tournaments later in the season.
• Regional representation: Wild cards given to Moroccan teams promote national talent and increase local fan engagement.
• Tournament legacy: As the only ATP event in Africa, the Grand Prix Hassan II holds symbolic importance for global tennis inclusivity.

With its unique status and competitive format, the 2019 edition reinforced the tournament’s role as a vital stop on the ATP calendar, especially for doubles specialists and players from underrepresented regions.