Year: 2024

Published December 10, 2024

by Lorenzo Ciotti

In an interview with Tennis World USA, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation President Bulat Utemuratov gave an in-depth analysis of the growth of tennis in his country, highlighting the incredible increase in participation, the development of new infrastructure, and the number of tournaments hosted. These results have been achieved thanks to targeted and sustainable investments over the years.

Utemuratov also shared his opinion on the current state of tennis and Elena Rybakina’s season, noting that the former Wimbledon champion is a very strong person mentally and that he is confident of her full comeback in 2025.

Mr. President, how do you evaluate the work done 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 Brisbane, Abu-Dhabi, and Stuttgart. Yulia Putintseva won her first grass singles title at the WTA 250 tournament in Birmingham. The country’s best doubles player, Anna Danilina, won the WTA 125 tournament in Bari, the WTA 500 in Guadalajara and the WTA 1000 in Wuhan. 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 Gogulina

Which projects achieved the most notable milestones this year?

“Young trainees of the Kazakh tennis school have already had a significant impact on the international level. For example, it is worth noting the results of the Kazakhstan U-14 team. In 2022, Zangar Nurlanuly, Damir Zhalgasbay and Daniel Tazabekov led the Kazakhstan U-14 team to the World Championship for the first time in the history of Kazakhstani tennis.

At that World Championship, our junior team took a sensational fourth place, defeating the reigning world champions Italy and losing to the USA and Germany. In 2023, the Kazakhstan U-16 team, consisting of Amir Omarhanov, Zangar Nurlanuly and Damir Zhalgasbay, also reached the final of the World Championship for the first time in the history of Kazakhstani tennis, defeating the five-time world champions Australia and entering the top 10 of the best teams in the world.

Not only: Kazakhstan U-16 women’s team, consisting of Polina Slepstova, Inkar Dyusebay and Anastasia Krymkova defeated the Australian team and reached the World Championship finals for the first time in their category, entering the top 10 best teams in the world, in 2023.

In 2024, Kazakhstan juniors Amir Omarhanov, Daniyal Rakhmatullayev, Sonya Zhiyenbayeva and Asylzhan Arystanbekova played in all the junior Grand Slam tournaments. Recently, the 2024 Davis Cup junior finals were held in Antalya. Kazakhstan’s Zangar Nurlanuly, Damir Zhalgasbay and Daniel Tazabekov finished fifth. to. In the group stage and the fifth-place match, the Kazakh team 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 are very optimistic about hosting more ATP tournaments in Kazakhstan. After four ATP 250 tournaments in Astana and Almaty, as well as the ATP 500 tournament in 2022 with the world’s best players such as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, we are confident that we are ready to host ATP 500 tournaments in Kazakhstan on a regular basis.

ATP representatives and players themselves have noted the high level of organization of our tournaments: for example, this year’s Almaty Open received the highest player ratings, becoming one of the top 3 tournaments of the year based on more than 30 criteria, including court quality, locker room comfort, spectator support, atmosphere and more.

We are considering two ways to raise the status of the tournament. The first is to acquire a new license for an ATP 500 tournament; the second is to upgrade our current ATP license 250 by acquiring another similar license. We have already discussed this option with ATP and participated in a tender to upgrade our license in 2023.

ATP was ready to consider options in February and April, but due to weather conditions, it is impossible to organize outdoor tournaments in Kazakhstan in February and April, due to the specific tournament schedule, it is difficult for players to travel from Europe to Asia and back to Europe, so preference was given to offers from other countries. However, our offer was very strong and we positioned ourselves as one of the key candidates to obtain an ATP 500 license in the future.

Among other goals, I would like to highlight three more: there should be eight Kazakhstani juniors (four boys and four girls) in Grand Slam tournaments, at least 13 Kazakh players (five women and eight men) should play in adult Grand Slam tournaments, and three more tennis centers should be built in Kazakhstan.”

Kazakhstan boys’ team – Sergey Kvak (captain of the junior tennis team), Daniel Tazabekov, Damir Zhalgasbay, Zangar Nurlanuly

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 started the year well, winning the Brisbane International, the Abu Dhabi Open and the Stuttgart Open, and reaching the finals of the Miami Open and the Qatar Open. She also achieved great results at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, but unfortunately, illnesses and injuries interrupted her season. I have spoken with Elena several times: she is focused on her comeback and is more determined than ever. She is one of the most committed tennis players I have ever met, who is committed to getting back in top shape and competing at the highest level”.

Overall, what advice would you give to Elena, in view of the end of the season and the upcoming 2025 tennis season?

“As you know, Elena has started working with a new coach. I believe this will give a new impetus to her development, especially considering the vast experience and outstanding reputation that Goran Ivanisevic has in the tennis world. Goran had a brilliant playing career and has many years of experience coaching top players, including Novak Djokovic. I would advise Elena to focus on her recovery and return to the court, which she is already doing. She has had a difficult time, but I hope the worst is behind her, and Elena is a very strong person mentally. I am confident that everything will fall into place and I am 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 results of the Federation’s work over the past 17 years very positively. During this time, more than $150 million has been invested in the development of tennis in Kazakhstan. This has helped develop tennis at the grassroots level, which is the most important part of creating a thriving tennis ecosystem, and the numbers speak for themselves:

In 17 years, 38 tennis centers with 364 hard and clay courts have been built across Kazakhstan.

The average cost of court rental has been reduced from $50 per hour in 2007 to $10 per hour.

300 coaches and 500 instructors have been trained to work with children from an early age.
More than 200 tournaments are held annually.

All this has led to real and tangible results: the number of children playing tennis in Kazakhstan has grown from 900 in 2007 to 30,000 today, and 3,500 of the most talented players receive free training, equipment and support from the Federation to participate in tournaments.”

Bulat Utemuratov with Alison Lee, Executive Vice President of the ATP

What would you say to young people who are approaching tennis for the first time?

 “In my childhood, tennis was not a popular sport in Kazakhstan, as there were very few courts and coaches in the country. I was interested in boxing, football and table tennis, and only as an adult did I start playing tennis. Now that we have the necessary infrastructure and support, tennis has become more accessible than ever, and I would like to encourage all young people to try it.

Of course, to achieve serious results, you need to fully dedicate yourself to tennis, and this sport can give a lot in return. Tennis offers great physical benefits, helping children develop speed, strength and endurance. It is also incredibly intellectual, requiring concentration, tactics and versatility, and it provides children with very valuable and useful life skills.

We already have many talented and hardworking young players who have achieved success in junior tennis, proving to everyone that hard work pays off. For example, in Kazakhstan, there are several boys and girls who are among the best in Europe and Asia in their categories. Among them are Amir Omarhanov, Zangar Nurlanuly and Sonya Zhiyenbayeva. Amir Omarhanov made history by winning the Asian Championship for players under 18 in 2023. In the finals of the Davis Cup Juniors in 2023, he did not lose a singles match and defeated a top 10 player, 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 ranking of 12 for players under 18, which no other Kazakhstani player had achieved before him. Currently, Amir is ranked 15th in the world among juniors. Another notable success is that of 16-year-old Zangar Nurlanuly, who is ranked 76th in the ITF Junior Rankings. This year, Zangar won two major ITF Junior titles: J200 in Shymkent and J100 in Izmir.

Sonya Zhiyenbayeva ends the year ranked 16th in the world junior rankings, equaling the record of Amina Rakhim of Kazakhstan, who was also ranked 16th in the ITF Junior world in 2006. The 18-year-old Sonya won the prestigious ITF Juniors J300 tournament in Spain this year and, in doubles with another Kazakhstani player, Asylzhan Arystanbekova, became champion of the Category 1 tournaments in Cairo and the Category 2 tournaments in Italy.

Sonya has also made her mark on the adult women’s tour, winning two ITF World Tennis Tour W15 trophies in Spain and Turkey. In the WTA rankings, Sonya is currently ranked 633. These results mean a lot, not only to the players themselves, but also to the entire younger generation in Kazakhstan, who see their peers succeeding on the court and start to believe that they too can do it and that their opportunities are endless.”

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 tournament schedule is really demanding; players have to travel a lot, have time to acclimatize to new conditions and, if necessary, adapt to different types of surfaces. Although many tournaments are now held in two weeks, players rarely have a break to recover physically and emotionally. Also, a significant issue is that many players in the top 30 also participate in exhibition matches during the tournament schedule and in pre-season preparation. Although their motivation is understandable, this does not allow them to recover properly and there is a high risk of injury.”

SOURCE: Tennisworldusa.org

KYZYLORDA, Kazakhstan, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Verny Capital (Verny), in partnership with the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation (the Foundation), announces the opening of a new state-of-the-art passenger terminal at Korkyt Ata Airport (KZO) in Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan. The new terminal will boost capacity, strengthening the region’s transport links while supporting economic development. Olzhas Bektenov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, officially opened the new terminal at a ceremony on site.

Photo Credit: Bulat Utemuratov Foundation

The 7,500sq/m terminal serves domestic and international flights to cities including Antalya, with plans for additional international destinations. Verny and the Foundation’s investment amounted to $35 million, with the terminal’s ownership and management now transferred to the Kyzylorda municipality. This has increased the airport’s capacity by seven times to 2,000,000 passengers per year and created 40 new jobs, significantly improving the economic and social potential of the region by encouraging tourism and investment.

The terminal was built in collaboration with Turkish design company GMW Mimarlik, which brought over twenty-years of airport development expertise, including in Istanbul, Riyadh and Riga. The terminal includes a transit zone for connecting passengers, a business lounge, prayer rooms, family facilities, duty free shop, and dedicated staff spaces. It is equipped with advanced technology including self-service check-in counters, an automated baggage handling system and jet-bridges.

The Foundation has also received a prestigious award from the European Business Association of Kazakhstan (EUROBAK) in the “Corporate Social Responsibility” category for its role developing the terminal.

Olzhas Bektenov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, commented: “The new terminal at Korkyt Ata Airport is an important infrastructure project, which will open new flight routes, enhance transit capacity, and increase passenger and cargo traffic. All these developments will have a positive impact on the growth of domestic tourism, trade, and the broader economy, and the government continues to give its full support to socially focused business initiatives.”

Almaz Sharman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, added: “I am delighted that this wonderful terminal is now open, which represents a major milestone for Kyzylorda. We are committed to implementing long-term philanthropic projects that foster social progress, both in individual regions and across Kazakhstan. Since its establishment in 2014, our Foundation has invested over $200 million in initiatives that support healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, and the development of public infrastructure in Kazakhstan.”

SOURCE: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/korkyt-ata-airport-in-kazakhstan-opens-new-terminal-significantly-increasing-capacity-and-boosting-local-economy-302305443.html?tc=eml_cleartime

Bulat Utemuratov and Yuriy Polskiy have high hopes for Kazakhstan’s newly-relocated ATP 250 to shine through warm hospitality and careful detail work.

By Matt Fitzgerald

ALMATY, Kazakhstan—This year, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation (KTF) celebrates its fifth year running an ATP tournament. The operation is noticeably different in 2024, after officials received the go-ahead to relocate the event from Astana to stage the Almaty Open.

In renting out the Almaty Arena, the KTF had just 12 days to transform the grounds—known for its ice hockey rink—into a world-class experience. From luxury, VIP dining options and tailored sponsor activations, to family-friendly activities and ticket options for all budgets, their hard work in nailing the details has come to life.

Inside lies a warm, inviting environment for tennis and casual fans alike—one KTF president Bulat Utemuratov and KTF vice president Yuriy Polskiy sees as just phase one of so much more to come. TENNIS.com sat down with the two leaders to understand the vision behind this latest chapter, where they fit into a competitive calendar and outlook on their sport’s landscape—locally and internationally.

After the successful run in Astana, what was the motivation behind relocating to Almaty?

UTEMURATOV: This is the capital of tennis here. Almaty is also the biggest city in terms of the fan engagement, And there are a lot of tournaments and tennis centers here as well.

A look at the transformed Almaty Arena for an evening session match.

What’s been the most challenging aspect of changing host cities?

POLSKIY: In Astana, we owned the venue so we could manage it easily and furnish it as we need. Here, it’s a multi-purpose venue. It’s used for different kinds of concerts, cultural events and sporting events. We had to adjust and bring new equipment here, buy the temporary courts to get them here. Plus, we bought the tennis bubble to put the practice courts there. It was an interesting experience, but we see that Almaty has huge potential.

I imagine another reason behind this switch is the chance to reimagine the overall experience, make upgrades that will take this event to another level?

POLSKIY: In order to grow the tournament, we need to provide additional benefits for the spectators and fans. We have big festival here for the kids, so everybody can come here and spend a whole day with nice entertainment and good food. People can have a culinary experience with a Michelin-Star restaurant, or another high-level VIP restaurant from a local supplier.

We also try to cover all the needs of the players. More locker rooms, a bigger gym, extra warm up areas, places to relax. The players are the most important part for us because without them, there is going to be no show. Our main priority is to make the experience of players, sponsors and fans reach the top level so everybody sees us as the best partner.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kazakhstan Tennis Federation • Almaty Open (@ktf.kz)

For you Bulat, how important has building relationships with players over the years been as it relates to growing a tennis footprint in Kazakhstan?

UTEMURATOV: I have long-lasting personal relationships with many players. Rafa is my dear friend for many years. Also, am good friends with Novak. They each came here twice and helped to spread the word about Kazakhstan among the players. I introduce myself and work with the players from a young age when they come to play at our junior tournaments. The same at our [ATP] Challenger events. So they are familiar with us before playing the ATP tournament and know that they can trust us.

We try to create the perfect conditions for the players so they would not [only] enjoy staying here but would love to come back again and again. We learned a lot from the experience of the biggest tournaments on the tour.

As an ATP 250 event license holder: What are your thoughts on the direction the ATP calendar has taken, with longer Masters 1000 events and fewer tournaments?

UTEMURATOV: I see these changes as an attempt from ATP to improve the calendar to reduce their workload on the players. We see that injuries happen a lot because they’re just overplaying. Tennis is a very intense sport. You must sustain a high level and have this physical pressure. Andrea Gaudenzi and the board of ATP spend the time to discuss changes. So I understand the logic.

Yuriy?

POLSKIY: Besides the scheduling, it is also about the exhibition events. They also make the impact on the approachability of the players. That’s why for us it’s very important to make players feel nice here and they need to know that this is the tournament where they will be taken care of.

Utemuratov with Nadal and Djokovic during a 2019 exhibition held in Kazakhstan.

In the past, you’ve talked about wanting a 500 event. A handful of events were upgraded starting next year. Do you see Almaty still fitting into this dream?

UTEMURATOV: Yes. We had these attempts before, but logistically wise, they preferred the first half of the year. We will still keep on working on this and have two potential ways how to achieve it. The first one is to combine two 250s. That was our proposal with ATP previously, and we’ll keep that in mind for the future. We’re also trying to find a tournament that is ready to sell. But the market is not that big.

Are there any lessons from your four-year run in Astana that you’ve applied to getting Almaty off the ground with fewer obstacles?

POLSKIY: The main lesson Is that we’re in the service business. We have to serve players, fans, sponsors, coaches, everybody. And that’s why we approach it not just from the usual technical side, so that everybody understands that they’re part of the big event. Every detail matters.

And for us, it’s also very important to activate the sponsors so they not just have their name on the banners. By doing the activities with people, they get the access to their direct customers because it’s a win-win situation.

As someone who is not only the president of KTF but also the vice president of the ITF, what do you think is one area in professional tennis that disappoints you?

UTEMURATOV: My biggest disappointment is what has happened with the Davis Cup in recent years. Kosmos initially made very beautiful proposals, promised a lot. Eventually, they couldn’t deliver on that and to some extent really damaged the Davis Cup, Now, we have to restore and rebuild it. We’re working a lot to make it interesting and a tournament that players do not want to miss.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kazakhstan Tennis Federation • Almaty Open (@ktf.kz)

Where does Kazakhstani tennis beyond names fans are already familiar with fit into the conversation right now?

POLSKIY: We are learning from our mistakes. We are trying to be better every time. And that’s why we have quite a few good players who are the best in Europe, in Asia, in different age categories. Amir Omarkhanov at 16 is already playing ATP tournaments, but also we have Zangar Nurlanuly who is also up and coming. We see that there is a very healthy competition between them. Eventually that’s how we will have at least four or five good players in both the men and women’s side because we need to keep our team strong. We want to stay in the World Group of Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup. Local kids, they start to believe that it’s possible when the person who lives next to them achieves that.

Success can be defined in so many ways. What needs to happen for the Almaty Open to be viewed as a success in your eyes at the end of the tournament?

UTEMURATOV: Tennis is a social project for me, I don’t make any money. The most important part is to have full stands to make this feel like a special atmosphere.

POLSKIY: I think that we worked on everything which is needed to have a nice event. Now we need full crowd because we did all of this for the public. That is our main goal.

Before we go: Bulat, will you make the trip to Spain to see Rafa play for one last time?

UTEMURATOV: I really want to go there. There is a big buzz around this. A lot of people already approached me to help with the tickets. (laughter)

Source: Tennis.com

Now 23, the former No. 1 junior talks life on the ATP Challenger Tour, tennis landscape in his nation and appreciating the likes of Italians Musetti and Arnaldi.

By Matt Fitzgerald

ALMATY, Kazakhstan — At the start of this week, four Kazakhstani competitors featured in the Almaty Open main draw. Two won their openers on Tuesday, with Alexander Shevchenko coming through an all-home-country battle over qualifier Mikhail Kukushikin, after wild card Beibit Zhukayev advanced past Benjamin Hassan.

Former junior world No. 1 Timofey Skatov will look to make it three locals in the second round come Wednesday when he meets last week’s Shanghai semifinalist, Tomas Machac. TENNIS.com sat down with Skatov ahead of that showdown, where the 23-year-old discussed coming home, finding his footing away from clay, having the backing of a federation, and the players on tour today that he enjoys watching.

It’s not every week you get to play a “home” tournament. How are you feeling now that the Almaty Open is here?

SKATOV: I’m quite pumped. It will be my first time in three years to play a 250 at home. The conditions for the moment feel nice and I just cannot wait to start. I also have very nice opponent, so we’ll see. I’ll try to do my best.

Skatov participated in the Almaty Open draw ceremony at the Ayusai Visitor Center alongside Fabian Marozsan.

You’ve competed in Almaty before, reaching your first Challenger final on clay three years ago. What’s your take on the city and the tournament’s relocation from Astana?

SKATOV: I’ve been a few times to Almaty, once for a Challenger and for the national tournaments. I like the city. I like the vibe. I feel like people are really warm here. It’s also as they say, ‘the tennis capital of Kazakhstan.’ There are lots of tennis courts and people love the sport here. So I expect to have good support. In general, tennis in Kazakhstan is improving so much and becoming more popular.

All of your best challenger runs have come on clay, yet three of the four Grand Slams you’ve qualified at have come on hard courts. What’s allowed you to break away from being a surface specialist?

SKATOV: It’s because I used to practice in Spain for five years. The plan was to play much more on clay, so that’s also why. But since this year, I moved to Stockholm, and we practice much more indoors on hard courts. I feel like my game improved to be a bit more aggressive, playing better inside the court, volleys, and also serve. So now, I feel quite comfortable on both surfaces.

I don’t want to be this type of player who just play good on clay and cannot do anything on hard courts, or on grass. There are more tournaments on hard, so I have to adapt my game a little bit, which is now working much better than before.

Are you someone who plays with extra pride when representing Kazakhstan, as you’ve done very well in team events the past few seasons?

SKATOV: I think, yes. When I play Davis Cup, I feel like it’s my responsibility to represent my country with people watching and supporting. I like mostly to play for the team. I will try to bring my best game here in front of a home crowd.

How important has the national federation been to your tennis journey in making this feel like a career you can go after?

SKATOV: Our Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, especially our president Mr. Utemuratov, they do an amazing job for Kazakhstan tennis in general. In the last 10 years, they opened so many tennis centers all around. They support the young players and our main Davis Cup team. Since (I was) 17 years old, they support me quite a lot. If not for the federation, it would be much tougher, if not impossible to get to the point where I am. They are really important for me.

From your perspective, how difficult is the grind on the ATP Challenger Tour?

SKATOV: Obviously you want to get out from the Challengers as fast as possible. It’s much nicer to play on the ATP Tour or in Grand Slams. Still, this is a part which all the players have to pass. You start with Futures, then when you get some level you go to Challengers. Some do it faster, like Alcaraz, Sinner, they got it in a few months and are already in the Top 100. Some guys need a bit more time to mature and improve their game. (I’ve) played Challengers for maybe three or four years, something like this. We have more tournaments at a higher category now, like, 100-125. Most of them are organized on a really good level.

Tennis can be physically and emotionally taxing. How do you as an athlete process the tougher times so you don’t burn out?

SKATOV: Tennis is a really lonely sport. Probably sometimes your best friends is in your team, especially your coach. If you’re lucky, you can find some friends on tour. Obviously we train to do it, to help each other, but still, we opponents on the courts. It can be tough. I have my team, which are trying to support me. They are the guys I can talk to. I like reading. I feel when I read more, I start to think better. Just feeling better, so it’s a way I try to spend time when I’m not on the court.

Skatov is playing doubles this week with compatriot Alexander Shevchenko.

Any type of books, in particular?

SKATOV: Sometimes it’s more like motivational stuff, sometimes it’s just some fiction. Just depends on the mood.

And I’m sure like most others, you take time to watch your peers. Who on tour do you find yourself drawn to at the moment?

SKATOV: There are many players, but the most entertaining, probably I would say is Alcaraz. Guys like Monfils are fun to watch, also. For how they play, I like the Italians. Musetti, I feel like is a guy who really thinks on court. Or Arnaldi. I like how they mix up the pace and do some different things. So I’m trying to take some things from them.

Your Almaty opener: you get Machac, who is producing some terrific tennis and is the same age as you. Thoughts on this matchup?

SKATOV: I know Tomas since a young age. He was always nice guy, I like him. The last year, he’s improved a lot, getting (inside) the Top 30. Especially last week, he’s playing at a really solid level. I don’t think we’ve played before. I hope my hometown will help me.

SOURCE: Tennis.com

The two connected with local children Monday while learning about a worthy project celebrating its 10-year anniversary in Kazakhstan.

By Matt Fitzgerald

ALMATY, Kazakhstan — Frances Tiafoe and Adrian Mannarino visited the inaugural Asyl Miras Autism Center in Almaty on Monday with the hope of putting smiles on faces. But when it came time to leave, the two were the ones left beaming from the impactful experience.

The special guests handed out presents and received original drawings as parting gifts inside the initial two rooms they visited. When the pair arrived for their final gathering, the American and Frenchman were instantly captivated by a mixed doubles duo.

“That’s my guy right there!” Tiafoe exclaimed as charming youngster Aibek made a point to greet everyone who entered with a personal handshake and warm “Salam Alaikum,” an expression that wishes, “May the peace be upon you.”

Tiafoe later overheard a jubilant Aruna conversing with Mannarino as If they were longtime pals. Reacted the two-time US Open semifinalist, “That’s some English she’s speaking right there.”

Both players connected with Aibek and Aruna through developmental-focused games. In working with Aibek on the alphabet and characters, Tiafoe found himself enamored by the individual sitting to his right.

“That kid had way more personality than I do. And that says a lot, as I’ve got a wild personality,” smiled the Hyattsville. Md. native when reflecting on their interaction. “It’s fun for me, too. I’m gonna remember that as well.”

Believes Mannarino, “I think it’s pretty important for us whenever we get some free time to give back to other people and trying to share a little bit of happiness with them, share some good moments.”

There are currently 13 Asyl Miras Autism Centers across 12 regions in Kazakhstan. The project is the brainchild of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, and this year celebrates its 10th anniversary. Since launching with a mission to enhance the lives of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), efforts have provided free care, education and resources to 16,000 kids.

Expressed Tiafoe, “It builds a level of perspective. Sometimes it’s so easy to look inward at what you’re doing, complain about your life and things like that. Ultimately a lot of people have it way harder.”

Mannarino and Tiafoe joined the likes of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev who donated time when the ATP event was held in Astana.

In town for this week’s Almaty Open, where Tiafoe is the top seed and Mannarino is the defending champion from when the event was held in Astana in 2023, the ATP standouts watched a brief clip outlining the foundation’s history and upcoming initiatives. Brief remarks were made by foundation creator Bulat Utemuratov, foundation chairman of the board Almaz Sharman and foundation director Marat Aitmagambetov, where everyone in the room was reminded how much work is needed globally with understanding ASD to create a place that is truly one world for all.

“If we can make them have a nice day a little bit different with our company, it’s a great thing for us to do,” Mannarino said.

Asserted Tiafoe, “I love paying it forward to younger kids, whatever situation they’re in. That’s what counts.”

SOURCE: Tennis.com

The prestigious junior tournament ITF J300 BEIJING 2024 CHINA OPEN has ended in the capital of China.

The first racket of Kazakhstan under 18, the 15th racket of the world in the junior ranking Amir Omarkhanov won a character victory over the Briton Oliver Bonding (19 ITF Juniors) in the final.

The starting set in the tie-break was won by Oliver, in the next two games Amir got the best of it – 6:0, 6:4.

This is already the sixth trophy of the Kazakhstani in singles at the tournaments of the ITF Juniors series. Previously, this pupil of the Karaganda tennis school won in Thailand (J300), Korea (J300), Egypt (J100), Georgia (J60) and at home in Karaganda (J60).

Source: Sportburo.kz

On 30 August, over 100 families affected by the floods in the Kobda District, Aktobe Region, received keys to new comfortable houses. Ninety eight houses were built in the village of Kobda, another 17 – in the village of Zharyk, all of them were built with the support of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation.

Each house, with an area of ​​80 to 100 square meters, is equipped with modern amenities, including bathrooms and boiler rooms for autonomous heating. Handing over the keys to the new residents, Akim of the Aktobe Region Askhat Shakharov emphasized that those affected by the disaster received timely assistance from the state and private philanthropists.

“We are grateful to the caring businessmen for their contribution to the restoration of our region after the disaster. Joint work with the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation to provide the victims with housing demonstrated how important it is to unite forces in difficult times. The joy of people getting new houses and returning to normal life inspires us to continue cooperation for the benefit of the region,” noted Askhat Shakharov.

Many of those who received new housing temporarily lived with relatives or rented housing. Mother of four children Zhadyra Ayapbergenova, who has lived in the Kobda district for more than 30 years, shared her impressions.

“During the floods, the water in the house rose to 20 centimetres, and we lost everything in one moment. Thanks to the support of philanthropists and the state, we now have a new home, new hope. We are very grateful for this help. We like the house, we had already visited it earlier to view the construction process. It has everything for comfortable living, including heating and bathrooms,” she said.

The foundation director, Marat Aitmagambetov, emphasized the importance of supporting the affected families:

“We always strive to support people in difficult times. Losing a roof over your head is a hardship experience for any person. Our task was not only to build comfortable and high-quality houses in a timely manner, but also to help people return to normal life and restore their confidence in the future.”

In the coming days, the foundation will hand over the keys to 32 more houses, which will allow the large-scale project to provide housing for more than 400 families in the Aktobe Region to be fully completed. Previously, residents of the region received 106 apartments in the city of Aktobe and 162 houses in various districts of the region.

In total, Bulat Utemuratov’s group of companies allocated about 12.5 billion tenge to help flood victims in Kazakhstan, of which more than 10 billion tenge was provided by the charitable foundation, and Kar-Tel and RG Gold companies contributed one billion tenge each.

SOURCE: Bulat Utemuratov Foundation

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, Sept. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Verny Capital (Verny), in partnership with the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation (the Foundation) and Zhyly Zhurek Foundation, announces the opening of two new state-of-the-art schools in Kazakhstan’s Almaty region. Located in the city of Esik and the village of Shelek, each school will accommodate 900 students to improve the region’s educational infrastructure.

Photo Credit: Verny Capital

Photo Credit: Verny Capital

These schools, funded by Beeline Kazakhstan and ForteBank – both part of the Verny group – represent a key development to address the critical need for a greater number of educational facilities in the Almaty region. The new schools are expected to relieve overcrowding in existing institutions and help mitigate the challenges associated with three-shift schooling, as the region continues to experience a yearly increase of approximately 20,000 students.

“We are delighted to see the opening of these modern schools in Esik and Shelek, which are part of our broader commitment to improve educational opportunities across Kazakhstan,” said Aidan Akanov, Chief Executive Officer of Verny Capital. “These projects exemplify how private business can effectively collaborate with local communities to address pressing social needs.”

Both schools are similar to a facility completed by Verny in the city of Kosshy, in the Akmola region, last year. Each school is equipped with the latest technology and meets contemporary, global standards for inclusivity and environmental sustainability. In addition to standard classrooms, the schools offer advanced facilities to foster learning and innovation.

Marat Aitmagambetov, Director of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation said: “These schools are a testament to our commitment to fostering environments where young people can thrive. By supporting education, we are investing in the future of our country.”

Each of the new schools required a donation of approximately $18 million, reflecting the scale of Verny and the Foundation’s commitment to long-term social impact. Upon completion, the ownership of the schools has been transferred to local authorities, ensuring that they will serve the community for generations to come.

SOURCE: https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/verny-capital-opens-two-state-of-the-art-schools-in-kazakhstans-almaty-region-302239274.html?tc=eml_cleartime

• 424 bed Emen student residence with leading amenities
• Strong environmental credentials with biodiverse landscaping
• US$15 million project funded by Verny Capital

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, Aug. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Narxoz University, a preeminent private university in Almaty in the Republic of Kazakhstan, today opens its newly completed Emen student residence.

Photo Credit: Narxoz University

The state-of-the-art 424 bed project located close to Narxoz University has become the leading student residence in Kazakhstan. The Emen residence is finished to the highest international standards with market-leading amenities and a focus on comfort and environmental friendliness. The US$15 million, 8,700m² project was funded by Verny Capital, a leader in private investments in Kazakhstan, through its social investment programme.

Each bedroom has a private bathroom, air conditioning and built-in furniture, also benefitting from shared amenities including kitchens, utility rooms, coworking spaces, medical facilities and Wi-Fi.

Student wellbeing is key, and the fifth floor houses a 400m² roof-garden for recreation and relaxation, containing rare plants. The high-quality accommodation will play a vital role supporting students, ensuring their comfort, wellbeing, and academic success.  

Environmental considerations were also integral, and Emen was constructed to promote biodiversity, with over 100 trees and shrubs planted on-site and external areas sympathetically landscaped. Local residents were consulted on the project and will have access to the external botanical areas for recreation, promoting strong community relations.

Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education, commented: ” Addressing the housing shortage is our ministry’s top priority. Last year, we faced a deficit of 27,000 places, this year we’ve reduced it to 8,000. Today, I am opening several new dormitories, including this leading one at Narxoz University. Student residences are a popular concept in the UK, USA, and Turkey, providing well designed, comfortable accommodation with private spaces for each student and leading amenities.” 

Bulat Utemuratov, shareholder of Narxoz University, commented: “I believe that environment is critical, and that comfortable, modern housing plays an important role in study and work. Narxoz University is committed to developing modern educational infrastructure. Two years ago, it opened a renovated campus, today this housing project welcomes students, and we are working hard to finish the construction of a new business school next year. These are all part of our strategy to develop Narxoz into one of the region’s leading universities, recognized at international level.”

SOURCE: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/narxoz-university-opens-kazakhstans-market-leading-student-residence-in-almaty-302231505.html?tc=eml_cleartime