In an interview with Tennis World USA, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation President Bulat Utemuratov gave an in-depth evaluation of the expansion of tennis in his nation, highlighting the unbelievable enhance in participation, the event of recent infrastructure, and the variety of tournaments hosted. These outcomes have been achieved due to focused and sustainable investments through the years.
Utemuratov additionally shared his opinion on the present state of tennis and Elena Rybakina’s season, noting that the previous Wimbledon champion is a really sturdy individual mentally and that he’s assured of her full comeback in 2025.
Mr. President, how do you consider the work accomplished by the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation in 2024?
“This year was extremely important and successful for the Federation. For the first time, we hosted an ATP 250 tournament in Almaty instead of Astana, which was crucial for both the development of the tournament and the evolution of tennis in Kazakhstan. Almaty is the birthplace and capital of tennis in our country, with the largest number of fans and numerous tennis tournaments and centers, so it was important for us to establish a connection with local tennis fans. A tennis festival and various children’s activities were organized at the tournament venue, where everyone could find something to their liking.
The event, attended by over 50,000 people, allowed us to once again prove that tennis in Kazakhstan is world-class and all our hard work in organizing the tournament and preparing the venue paid off. It is important to note that we managed to attract six players from the top 30 in the world, including Frances Tiafoe (ATP 16), Alejandro Tabilo (ATP 22), Karen Khachanov (ATP 23), with Khachanov eventually winning the tournament.
About Kazakhstani players, they also demonstrated a good level of play throughout the year. Elena Rybakina won the WTA 500 in Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Germany. Yulia Putintseva won her first grass singles title at the WTA 250 tournament in the UK. The country’s best doubles player, Anna Danilina, won the WTA 125 tournament in Italy, the WTA 500 in Mexico and the WTA 1000 in China. Zarina Diyas won the ITF 50 tournament in Turkey. Zhibek Kulambayeva won doubles titles at ITF 50 tournaments in Poland, Argentina and Thailand and at ITF 75 in Brazil. Alexander Bublik achieved his career-best ATP singles ranking of 21 during the season.
Our youth tennis is already a recognized force in Asia. In 2024, Amir Omarhanov, Zangar Nurlanuly, Damir Zhalgasbay, Daniyal Rakhmatullayev, Sonya Zhiyenbayeva, Asylzhan Arystanbekova, Eva Korysheva, Sofia Isakova, Polina Slepstova and others achieved good results. They were very successful at the junior Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open and have already started winning in adult competitions.
Kazakhstan girls’ team – Eva Korysheva, Albina Kakenova, Yaroslava Shvedova (captain of the junior tennis team), Ariana Gogu© Kazakhstan Tennis Federation
Which projects achieved the most notable milestones this year?
“Younger trainees of the Kazakh tennis faculty have already had a big influence on the worldwide degree. For instance, it’s value noting the outcomes of the Kazakhstan U-14 group. In 2022, Zangar Nurlanuly, Damir Zhalgasbay and Daniel Tazabekov led the Kazakhstan U-14 group to the World Championship for the primary time within the historical past of Kazakhstani tennis.
At that World Championship, our junior group took a sensational fourth place, defeating the reigning world champions Italy and shedding to the USA and Germany. In 2023, the Kazakhstan U-16 group, consisting of Amir Omarhanov, Zangar Nurlanuly and Damir Zhalgasbay, additionally reached the ultimate of the World Championship for the primary time within the historical past of Kazakhstani tennis, defeating the five-time world champions Australia and getting into the highest 10 of the perfect groups on this planet.
Not solely: Kazakhstan U-16 ladies’s group, consisting of Polina Slepstova, Inkar Dyusebay and Anastasia Krymkova defeated the Australian group and reached the World Championship finals for the primary time of their class, getting into the highest 10 finest groups on this planet, in 2023.
In 2024, Kazakhstan juniors Amir Omarhanov, Daniyal Rakhmatullayev, Sonya Zhiyenbayeva and Asylzhan Arystanbekova performed in all of the junior Grand Slam tournaments. Not too long ago, the 2024 Davis Cup junior finals have been held in Antalya. Kazakhstan’s Zangar Nurlanuly, Damir Zhalgasbay and Daniel Tazabekov completed fifth. to. Within the group stage and the fifth-place match, the Kazakh group defeated four-time junior Davis Cup winners France twice.”
What are the next goals that the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation would like to achieve in the next two-year period 2025-2026?
“We’re very optimistic about internet hosting extra ATP tournaments in Kazakhstan. After 4 ATP 250 tournaments in Astana and Almaty, in addition to the ATP 500 match in 2022 with the world’s finest gamers corresponding to Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, we’re assured that we’re able to host ATP 500 tournaments in Kazakhstan regularly.
ATP representatives and gamers themselves have famous the excessive degree of group of our tournaments: for instance, this yr’s Almaty Open acquired the very best participant rankings, changing into one of many prime 3 tournaments of the yr primarily based on greater than 30 standards, together with courtroom high quality, locker room consolation, spectator help, environment and extra.
We’re contemplating two methods to boost the standing of the match. The primary is to amass a brand new license for an ATP 500 match; the second is to improve our present ATP license 250 by buying one other related license. We now have already mentioned this selection with ATP and took part in a young to improve our license in 2023.
ATP was prepared to think about choices in February and April, however attributable to climate circumstances, it’s not possible to arrange out of doors tournaments in Kazakhstan in February and April, because of the particular match schedule, it’s tough for gamers to journey from Europe to Asia and again to Europe, so choice was given to affords from different international locations. Nevertheless, our supply was very sturdy and we positioned ourselves as one of many key candidates to acquire an ATP 500 license sooner or later.
Amongst different targets, I want to spotlight three extra: there ought to be eight Kazakhstani juniors (4 boys and 4 ladies) in Grand Slam tournaments, at the least 13 Kazakh gamers (5 ladies and eight males) ought to play in grownup Grand Slam tournaments, and three extra tennis facilities ought to be inbuilt Kazakhstan.”
Kazakhstan boys’ team – Sergey Kvak (captain of the junior tennis team), Daniel Tazabekov, Damir Zhalgasbay, Zangar Nurlanul© Kazakhstan Tennis Federation
Let’s talk about Elena Rybakina. She has suffered many physical problems during the season, in addition to the breakup with Stefano Vukov. I consider her season very positive: Mr. President, have you had the chance to speak with Elena, to understand her state of mind?
“Elena began the yr effectively, successful the Brisbane Worldwide, the Abu Dhabi Open and the Stuttgart Open, and reaching the finals of the Miami Open and the Qatar Open. She additionally achieved nice outcomes at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, however sadly, sicknesses and accidents interrupted her season. I’ve spoken with Elena a number of instances: she is concentrated on her comeback and is extra decided than ever. She is without doubt one of the most dedicated tennis gamers I’ve ever met, who’s dedicated to getting again in prime form and competing on the highest degree”.
Overall, what advice would you give to Elena, in view of the end of the season and the upcoming 2025 tennis season?
“As you understand, Elena has began working with a brand new coach. I imagine it will give a brand new impetus to her improvement, particularly contemplating the huge expertise and excellent repute that Goran Ivanisevic has within the tennis world. Goran had a superb taking part in profession and has a few years of expertise teaching prime gamers, together with Novak Djokovic. I might advise Elena to give attention to her restoration and return to the courtroom, which she is already doing. She has had a tough time, however I hope the worst is behind her, and Elena is a really sturdy individual mentally. I’m assured that the whole lot will fall into place and I’m very optimistic about Elena’s prospects in 2025.”
Let’s talk about numbers: the work done by the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation has produced incredible results, but which numbers are the most satisfying for you?
“I see the outcomes of the Federation’s work over the previous 17 years very positively. Throughout this time, greater than $150 million has been invested within the improvement of tennis in Kazakhstan. This has helped develop tennis on the grassroots degree, which is crucial a part of making a thriving tennis ecosystem, and the numbers communicate for themselves:
In 17 years, 38 tennis facilities with 364 onerous and clay courts have been constructed throughout Kazakhstan.
The common value of courtroom rental has been decreased from $50 per hour in 2007 to $10 per hour.
300 coaches and 500 instructors have been skilled to work with kids from an early age.Greater than 200 tournaments are held yearly.
All this has led to actual and tangible outcomes: the variety of kids taking part in tennis in Kazakhstan has grown from 900 in 2007 to 30,000 as we speak, and three,500 of probably the most proficient gamers obtain free coaching, gear and help from the Federation to take part in tournaments.”
Bulat Utemuratov with Alison Lee, Executive Vice President of the ATP© Kazakhstan Tennis Federation
What would you say to young people who are approaching tennis for the first time?
“In my childhood, tennis was not a well-liked sport in Kazakhstan, as there have been only a few courts and coaches within the nation. I used to be fascinated by boxing, soccer and desk tennis, and solely as an grownup did I begin taking part in tennis. Now that we’ve got the required infrastructure and help, tennis has turn into extra accessible than ever, and I want to encourage all younger individuals to attempt it.
After all, to attain severe outcomes, you must totally dedicate your self to tennis, and this sport may give lots in return. Tennis affords nice bodily advantages, serving to kids develop velocity, energy and endurance. It is usually extremely mental, requiring focus, ways and flexibility, and it gives kids with very worthwhile and helpful life abilities.
We have already got many proficient and hardworking younger gamers who’ve achieved success in junior tennis, proving to everybody that arduous work pays off. For instance, in Kazakhstan, there are a number of girls and boys who’re among the many finest in Europe and Asia of their classes. Amongst them are Amir Omarhanov, Zangar Nurlanuly and Sonya Zhiyenbayeva. Amir Omarhanov made historical past by successful the Asian Championship for gamers beneath 18 in 2023. Within the finals of the Davis Cup Juniors in 2023, he didn’t lose a singles match and defeated a prime 10 participant, Federico Cina of Italy.
In 2024, Amir reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open Juniors and the semifinals of the Roland Garros Juniors in doubles, and achieved a world rating of 12 for gamers beneath 18, which no different Kazakhstani participant had achieved earlier than him. Presently, Amir is ranked fifteenth on this planet amongst juniors. One other notable success is that of 16-year-old Zangar Nurlanuly, who’s ranked 76th within the ITF Junior Rankings. This yr, Zangar gained two main ITF Junior titles: J200 in Shymkent and J100 in Izmir.
Sonya Zhiyenbayeva ends the yr ranked sixteenth on this planet junior rankings, equaling the document of Amina Rakhim of Kazakhstan, who was additionally ranked sixteenth within the ITF Junior world in 2006. The 18-year-old Sonya gained the celebrated ITF Juniors J300 match in Spain this yr and, in doubles with one other Kazakhstani participant, Asylzhan Arystanbekova, grew to become champion of the Class 1 tournaments in Cairo and the Class 2 tournaments in Italy.
Sonya has additionally made her mark on the grownup ladies’s tour, successful two ITF World Tennis Tour W15 trophies in Spain and Turkey. Within the WTA rankings, Sonya is at the moment ranked 633. These outcomes imply lots, not solely to the gamers themselves, but in addition to the whole youthful technology in Kazakhstan, who see their friends succeeding on the courtroom and begin to imagine that they can also do it and that their alternatives are infinite.”
What are, in your opinion, the critical issues that the ATP and WTA should work on to accommodate tennis players who say that the annual tournament schedule is too busy?
“The match schedule is actually demanding; gamers should journey lots, have time to acclimatize to new circumstances and, if vital, adapt to several types of surfaces. Though many tournaments are actually held in two weeks, gamers not often have a break to get well bodily and emotionally. Additionally, a big problem is that many gamers within the prime 30 additionally take part in exhibition matches through the match schedule and in pre-season preparation. Though their motivation is comprehensible, this doesn’t permit them to get well correctly and there’s a excessive threat of harm.”
