Almaty Open
The Almaty Open is an annual ATP 250 professional men's tennis tournament held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, featuring singles and doubles competitions on indoor hard courts.[1] Originally launched as the Astana Open in 2020 and 2021, it became a permanent fixture on the ATP Tour calendar in 2022 before relocating from Astana to Almaty in 2024 and adopting its current name.[1][2] The event takes place in October at the Almaty Arena, accommodating a main draw of 28 singles players and 16 doubles teams, with a total prize money purse of $1,055,255 for the 2025 edition.[3][1] As the premier ATP tournament in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), it combines high-level tennis with cultural elements, including concerts and traditional Kazakh presentations for winners, drawing top international players and large local audiences to promote the sport in Central Asia.[3][4]Overview
Tournament characteristics
The Almaty Open is a professional men's tennis tournament held annually in Almaty, Kazakhstan, since its relocation in 2024.[1] Previously known as the Astana Open, it serves as a key event on the ATP Tour, attracting top players during the indoor season.[3] The tournament is played exclusively on indoor hardcourts, providing a fast-paced surface that aligns with the late-season conditions in the region.[1] It has been classified as an ATP 250 event for its editions in 2020–2021 and 2023–2025, with a temporary upgrade to ATP 500 status in 2022 to enhance its prestige and draw stronger fields.[5] This categorization positions it as an accessible yet competitive stop for players seeking points toward year-end qualifications.[1] Typically scheduled in late September or October, the Almaty Open integrates seamlessly into the ATP's indoor swing, typically spanning seven days with qualifying rounds leading into the main draw.[4] The event's official website, almatyopen.kz, provides comprehensive details on entries, schedules, and ticketing, while its full ATP Tour membership ensures standardized operations, broadcasting, and ranking impacts.[1][4]Editions and categories
The Almaty Open, previously known as the Astana Open, has conducted six editions between 2020 and 2025, evolving from a temporary event to a permanent fixture on the ATP Tour calendar.[1] The tournament's inaugural edition in 2020 was an ATP 250 event held in Astana (then Nur-Sultan), Kazakhstan, marking the first professional tennis tournament hosted there during the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] In 2021, it expanded to include both ATP 250 and WTA 250 categories, with the men's event running from September 20–26 and the women's from September 27–October 2, all in Nur-Sultan (now Astana), Kazakhstan.[6] The 2022 edition upgraded to ATP 500 status, reflecting increased prestige and prize money, while remaining in Astana from October 3–9.[5] Following the 2022 upgrade, the 2023 edition returned to ATP 250 classification and was hosted in Astana from September 27–October 3.[7] In 2024, the tournament relocated to Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, as an ATP 250 event from October 14–20, utilizing the Almaty Arena.[8] The 2025 edition was an ATP 250 in Almaty, held from October 13–19.[1] Across its ATP editions, the tournament maintains standard draw sizes of 28 players for singles and 16 teams for doubles, consistent with ATP 250 regulations.[9]| Year | Category | Location | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ATP 250 | Astana | Inaugural edition; indoor hard courts.[5] |
| 2021 | ATP 250 & WTA 250 | Astana | Combined men's and women's events; first WTA inclusion.[6] |
| 2022 | ATP 500 | Astana | Category upgrade for enhanced international appeal.[5] |
| 2023 | ATP 250 | Astana | Downgrade from prior year; return to original category.[7] |
| 2024 | ATP 250 | Almaty | Relocation approved by ATP; held at Almaty Arena.[8] |
| 2025 | ATP 250 | Almaty | Sixth edition overall; held in October.[1] |
History
Establishment during COVID-19
The Astana Open was created in 2020 by the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation as a direct response to the widespread cancellations of ATP tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had severely disrupted the global professional tennis calendar.[10][11] This initiative aimed to provide additional playing opportunities for players while introducing high-level professional tennis to Central Asia for the first time.[12] As the inaugural ATP 250-level event in Kazakhstan, the tournament represented a milestone for the nation's tennis landscape, previously limited to lower-tier ITF and Challenger competitions.[5] The Kazakhstan Tennis Federation spearheaded the rapid organization, securing ATP approval in mid-2020 through a one-year license granted with only six weeks' notice to accommodate the urgent need for new venues.[11][13] This expedited planning process highlighted the federation's commitment to elevating domestic tennis amid international uncertainties. In the context of pandemic restrictions, the event played a pivotal role in fostering local tennis development by investing in infrastructure and protocols at the National Tennis Centre in Astana.[5] The federation conducted over 1,500 COVID-19 tests to safeguard participants, enabling the tournament to proceed safely and inspire grassroots participation in Kazakhstan despite global travel and health challenges.[14] This foundational effort not only filled a critical calendar void but also laid the groundwork for sustained growth in the region's professional tennis ecosystem.[12]Expansion and WTA involvement
In 2021, the Astana Open expanded to include a WTA 250 event held concurrently with the existing ATP 250 tournament, marking the first time Kazakhstan hosted a professional women's tennis competition of this level.[15] The addition utilized the National Tennis Centre's infrastructure from the men's event, running from September 26 to October 2 with a $235,000 prize fund and 250 ranking points for the champion.[15] The inclusion aimed to boost women's tennis in Central Asia by showcasing local talents such as Yulia Putintseva and Zarina Diyas, while elevating Kazakhstan's profile on the global tennis map through increased investment in the sport.[16][15] Kazakhstan Tennis Federation president Yuriy Polskiy emphasized the event's role in demonstrating the country's progress, noting prior support for women's development via nine ITF-level tournaments earlier that year.[16] The WTA event was discontinued after 2021, as the tournament was temporarily upgraded to ATP 500 status for 2022 following the ATP's relocation of the China Open due to COVID-19 restrictions, after which it reverted to ATP 250 status in 2023 to ensure ongoing viability.[17][18] This expansion positively impacted attendance and media coverage in 2021, with the combined events broadcast to over 70 countries and drawing an enthusiastic local crowd to the National Tennis Centre.[15]Relocation and name change
In 2024, the ATP 250 tournament previously known as the Astana Open was relocated to Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city with a population exceeding 2 million, to leverage the city's status as the birthplace of Kazakh tennis and its extensive network of tennis facilities for greater fan engagement.[2][1][19] The move was driven by Almaty's superior accessibility via its international airport and proximity to regional borders, alongside economic advantages from a larger population base that supports higher attendance and sponsorship potential compared to Astana.[19][20] The tournament was rebranded as the Almaty Open to align with its new host city, maintaining its identity as a key event in Kazakhstan's tennis calendar.[2] The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) approved the relocation following discussions with the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, ensuring continuity of the event's ATP 250 status without interruption to its scheduling or prize money structure, which exceeded $1 million.[2][19] Post-relocation, the Almaty Open achieved record-breaking attendance of 40,000 spectators, significantly boosting local tourism through family-friendly activities, VIP experiences, and premium dining options that attracted both domestic and international visitors.[21][19] Sponsorships were enhanced by targeted activations providing direct brand exposure to audiences, fostering stronger partnerships and contributing to the event's economic vibrancy in Almaty.[19] The event continued in Almaty for its 2025 edition from October 13 to 19, with a total prize purse of $1,055,255.[1]Venue
Original venue in Astana
The Daulet National Tennis Centre, located within the larger National Tennis Centre complex in Astana's Central Park, served as the primary venue for the Astana Open from its inaugural edition in 2020 through 2023. This indoor facility provided a controlled environment on hard courts, essential for hosting professional tournaments during the unpredictable weather and health constraints of the COVID-19 era. The centre features four indoor hard courts dedicated to competition and practice, enabling efficient scheduling for singles and doubles matches.[22] The main court at the Daulet National Tennis Centre offered seating for approximately 2,000 spectators, creating an intimate atmosphere that supported growing fan engagement while adhering to ATP venue standards for visibility and acoustics. Additional amenities, including player lounges and medical facilities, ensured compliance with international tournament requirements. The overall setup accommodated up to 3,000 attendees across stands during peak events, with configurations adjustable based on attendance protocols.[12][22] In 2021, the venue played a pivotal role by hosting a combined ATP 250 and WTA 250 edition of the tournament, a first for Kazakhstan, with the men's event spanning September 20–26 and the women's following immediately from September 27 to October 2. This back-to-back scheduling maximized the facility's indoor resources, drawing top players from both tours and elevating the centre's profile as a dual-gender host site. Preparations for the 2022 upgrade to ATP 500 status included enhancements to lighting, court surfacing, and broadcast capabilities to meet the series' elevated technical demands, supporting a larger field and higher prize money.[5][23]Current venue in Almaty
Since 2024, the Almaty Open has been hosted at the Almaty Arena, a multi-purpose indoor venue in Kazakhstan's largest city.[1] The arena features a seating capacity of 12,000, allowing for significantly larger crowds compared to previous configurations.[24] It is equipped with modern indoor hard courts tailored for professional play, providing a consistent and high-quality surface for the ATP 250 tournament.[25] Complementing the main arena, additional training facilities include the newly opened Alatau Tennis Center, which features 14 courts across indoor and outdoor hard and clay surfaces, along with a gym, medical center, cafe, and conference hall.[26] This center, inaugurated on October 15, 2025, during the tournament week, enhances player preparation and recovery options.[27] The venue integrates with local sports initiatives, as the Alatau Tennis Center's opening coincided with the 2025 Almaty Open, boosting community engagement and infrastructure development for future editions.[28] Improvements for the 2025 event included expanded training amenities at the center, supporting up to 500 visitors and promoting inclusive programs.[28] Almaty Arena offers accessibility advantages, located approximately 15 kilometers from Almaty International Airport—the country's largest gateway with extensive global connections—facilitating easier travel for players and fans compared to more remote northern locations.[29]Format and records
Draw structure and prize money
The Almaty Open, as an ATP 250 event, features a singles main draw of 28 players, comprising 19 direct entries determined by the ATP rankings, 4 wild cards awarded by the tournament director, 4 qualifiers advancing from a separate qualifying draw of 16 players, and potentially 1 lucky loser to fill any withdrawals from the qualifiers.[1] The doubles main draw consists of 16 teams, including 8 direct entries based on combined rankings, 4 wild cards, and 4 qualifying teams from a qualifying draw.[1] This structure aligns with standard ATP 250 regulations, ensuring a compact tournament schedule over one week while providing opportunities for lower-ranked players through qualification and wild cards.[1] The tournament awards ATP ranking points based on performance, with the singles winner receiving 250 points, the finalist 165 points, semifinalists 100 points each, quarterfinalists 50 points each, round-of-16 players 25 points each, and round-of-28 players 10 points each; qualifiers earn 13, 7, or 0 points depending on the round reached.[30] Doubles points follow a similar scaled distribution, with winners earning 250 points.[30] The total prize money for the 2025 edition stands at $1,055,255, distributed across singles and doubles events, marking an increase from previous years and reflecting the tournament's status as an ATP 250 (notably higher in 2022 when it was categorized as ATP 500 with elevated payouts).[1][31] The singles winner receives $160,550, up from approximately $90,000 in earlier ATP 250 iterations.[30]| Stage | Singles Prize Money (USD) | Doubles Prize Money (USD, per team) |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 160,550 | 48,000 |
| Finalist | 93,635 | 25,300 |
| Semifinalist | 55,045 | 13,700 |
| Quarterfinalist | 31,895 | 8,000 |
| Round of 16 | 18,520 | 4,700 |
| Round of 28 / Round of 16 (doubles equivalent) | 11,315 | N/A (earlier rounds prorated) |
| Qualifier (Q2) | 5,660 | N/A |
| Qualifier (Q1) | 3,085 | N/A |
Surface and scheduling
The Almaty Open is contested on indoor hard courts at the Almaty Arena, providing a consistent playing surface across all editions of the tournament since its inception as the Astana Open in 2020.[1] This surface choice aligns with the ATP's specifications for hard courts, offering medium-paced play suitable for the indoor environment, and has been maintained through the event's relocation to Almaty in 2024.[33] The tournament is scheduled annually in October, typically spanning one week from mid-month, to integrate with the ATP's Asian indoor hard court swing and mitigate the challenges posed by Kazakhstan's harsh winter weather, which includes cold temperatures and potential snow that would hinder outdoor play.[13] For the 2025 edition, matches ran from October 13 to 19, allowing players to transition smoothly from earlier Asian events without exposure to seasonal extremes.[1] All singles and doubles matches follow the standard ATP format of best-of-three sets, with tiebreaks played at 6-6 in the first two sets and a match tiebreak to 10 points in the deciding set for doubles if necessary; no advantage sets are used in the final set, ensuring efficient scheduling within the indoor venue. The Almaty Arena's enclosed design enables precise environmental controls, including regulated temperature, humidity, and LED lighting to optimize visibility and player comfort regardless of external conditions.[34]Player records
In the history of the Almaty Open (formerly the Astana Open), no player has secured more than one men's singles title across its six editions from 2020 to 2025, with each champion claiming their sole victory in the tournament. John Millman of Australia triumphed in the inaugural 2020 edition, followed by Soon-woo Kwon of South Korea in 2021, Novak Djokovic of Serbia in 2022, Adrian Mannarino of France in 2023, Karen Khachanov of Russia in 2024, and Daniil Medvedev of Russia in 2025.[1][35] The women's singles event, introduced in 2021 as part of WTA expansion, has also seen a single edition without repeat winners, with Alison van Uytvanck of Belgium defeating Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan in the final. Among men's singles champions, Adrian Mannarino and Novak Djokovic share the record as the oldest winners at age 35, with Mannarino capturing the title on October 3, 2023, and Djokovic on October 9, 2022. The youngest men's singles champion is Soon-woo Kwon, who won at age 23 in 2021. For the women's event, van Uytvanck was 26 years old upon her victory. These milestones highlight the tournament's appeal to players across a wide age spectrum, from emerging talents to seasoned veterans.[36]| Record | Player | Age | Year | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oldest Men's Singles Champion | Adrian Mannarino / Novak Djokovic | 35 | 2023 / 2022 | France / Serbia |
| Youngest Men's Singles Champion | Soon-woo Kwon | 23 | 2021 | South Korea |
| Oldest Women's Singles Champion | Alison van Uytvanck | 26 | 2021 | Belgium |
| Youngest Women's Singles Champion | Alison van Uytvanck | 26 | 2021 | Belgium |
Past finals
Men's singles
The men's singles event at the Almaty Open has been contested annually since the tournament's inception as the Astana Open in 2020, featuring a 28-player draw on indoor hard courts. The event transitioned to Almaty in 2024 while maintaining its ATP 250 status. Below are the finals results from each edition, highlighting key achievements.| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | John Millman (AUS) | Adrian Mannarino (FRA) | 7–5, 6–1 | Millman's first ATP Tour title, achieved as the fourth seed in the tournament's debut edition. |
| 2021 | Kwon Soon-woo (KOR) | James Duckworth (AUS) | 7–6(8–6), 6–3 | Kwon's maiden ATP title, marking the first for a South Korean player in 18 years and both players' first tour-level final. |
| 2022 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) | 6–3, 6–4 | Djokovic's 92nd career singles title and second of the season, showcasing dominant baseline play without dropping a set en route to the final.[36] |
| 2023 | Adrian Mannarino (FRA) | Sebastian Korda (USA) | 4–6, 6–3, 6–2 | Mannarino's fourth ATP title and second of 2023, rallying from a set down in a comeback victory against the fifth seed. |
| 2024 | Karen Khachanov (RUS) | Gabriel Diallo (CAN) | 6–2, 5–7, 6–3 | Khachanov's seventh career title and second of 2024, saving two match points in the decider against the Canadian qualifier. |
| 2025 | Daniil Medvedev (RUS) | Corentin Moutet (FRA) | 7–5, 4–6, 6–3 | Medvedev's 21st ATP title, ending an 882-day drought since his 2023 Rome win and securing his first hard-court crown since the 2021 US Open. |