ATP Marrakech 2026: Darderi tops the seedings as Bellucci and Berrettini ready to shine at the Grand Prix Hassan II

Here we go, folks. The clay court season is really starting to heat up, and the calendar has given us one of those weekends where Italian tennis is set to steal the show. While the focus is firmly on the Grand Prix Hassan II draw in Marrakech, there’s a strong Italian contingent ready to take centre stage. And it’s not just Marrakech – from Estoril to Charleston, and even Bogota, the Italian flag is flying high. But for now, let’s zoom in on what feels like home for us: the ATP 250 in Marrakech.

If there’s one name that stands out in the draw, it’s Luciano Darderi. I don’t need to tell you he’s the man to beat: the Marrakech draw has handed him the number 1 seed spot. It’s a weight on his shoulders, sure, but Darderi knows his way around a clay court. He has that patient, meticulous game, and his backhand turns into a lethal weapon on the Moroccan clay. His path won’t be a stroll in the park, but as the top seed, expectations are high. Keep an eye out for a potential all-Italian clash as early as the quarter-finals: if the draw plays out, he could come up against Mattia Bellucci. And if that happens, well, let’s just say things could get seriously heated.

But the real icing on the cake, the one that’s really getting tennis fans excited, is the name of Matteo Berrettini. Our Matteo is in the draw, and let me tell you, he’s got a secret weapon: the hunger to get back to his best and do some damage. After a period of ups and downs, Berrettini is looking to Marrakech for a comeback. And the Marrakech clay, with its dry climate and the ball moving faster than usual on the surface, could be the perfect stage to see his hammer of a forehand firing again. The serve? Still devastating. The forehand? When it clicks, it’s game over. Italian fans know that if his body holds up, no draw will be able to contain him.

And let’s not forget the rest of the Italian contingent scattered across the globe. Because this week is absolutely packed with Azzurri action. While we’re getting the popcorn ready for the derbies in Marrakech, the quarter-finals are being played at other ATP events in Estoril (Portugal) and Bucharest. And on the women’s side? All eyes are on WTA Charleston (the green American clay, a real spectacle) and WTA Bogota. Basically, if you’ve got a subscription to the tennis channels, get the sofa ready: it’s going to be a marathon.

Back to Marrakech, the quarter-final picture is shaping up to be a cracker. The draw is set up so the favourites are on a collision course for the business end. Here’s the lay of the land for fans:

• Darderi (1) is waiting for a potential clash with Bellucci – that potential second-round derby is already on everyone’s minds. If he gets through, the road gets tough right away.
• Berrettini is in the opposite half, with a path that points towards the quarters and then, potentially, a shot at the final. Watch out for the local wild card, who often plays with their heart on their sleeve.
• Alongside the Italians, keep an eye on the Spanish and Argentine players: they always know how to make life difficult on this surface, and the competition for the Grand Prix Hassan II title is fierce.

In short, the Grand Prix Hassan II has never felt so Italian. With Darderi as the number 1 seed, Berrettini on the hunt for a resurgence, and Bellucci gunning for the top dog, Morocco becomes a little piece of Italy for a week, bathed in 20-degree sunshine. And we, whether from our sofas or at our local clubs, will be cheering them on. Clay is our second home, and this time, folks, we’re playing away from home with all the best cards in our hand.

Don’t miss the live action – the TV schedule is packed, with full coverage guaranteed on the channels following the tour. And remember, when the sun beats down hard in Marrakech, the rackets are speaking Italian.