Kazakhstan’s Gorky Tennis Park Named First Roland-Garros Club in Central Asia

Almaty, Kazakhstan, is celebrating a landmark moment in its sporting history. Gorky Tennis Park, one of the country’s premier tennis destinations, has been officially recognized as a Roland-Garros Club, joining an elite network of only three clubs worldwide affiliated with the iconic French Open.

This partnership between the French Tennis Federation (FFT) and Gorky Tennis Park marks a new chapter for tennis in Central Asia, underscoring Kazakhstan’s rising prominence in the global game and the steadfast commitment of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation (KTF) to world-class standards. The initiative is spearheaded by the KTF’s president, businessman and philanthropist Bulat Utemuratov, whose leadership has been instrumental in transforming Kazakhstan into a regional tennis leader.

A Central Asian First for Roland-Garros

With this recognition, Gorky Tennis Park becomes the first official Roland-Garros Club in Central Asia. The venue will hold exclusive hosting rights for the Roland-Garros Junior Series by Renault regional qualifying tournament for Central and West Asia.

Talented young players from across the region will have the chance to compete on Gorky’s world-class clay courts, with the winners advancing to the prestigious series finale in Tokyo, Japan, scheduled for 13–19 October 2025.

Aymeric Labaste, Head of International Development at Roland-Garros, praised the collaboration:

“The French Tennis Federation is proud to partner with Gorky Tennis Park, a world-class clay court facility. As our exclusive partner in Kazakhstan, the club sets a new benchmark for tennis in the region. We are especially pleased to see it hosting the Junior Series qualifiers since 2024.”

Building on a Decade of Progress

This recognition is the result of nearly two decades of coordinated investment and vision from the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation. Over the past 18 years, the KTF has developed 38 modern tennis centers across the country, making professional-standard facilities accessible to athletes in both major cities and regional areas.

The Federation’s commitment to hosting top-tier international competitions, such as the ATP 250 tournaments held in Astana since 2020, and from 2024 in Almaty, has helped Kazakhstan earn a place on the global tennis calendar. These events have not only given local fans front-row seats to world-class tennis but also provided homegrown players with invaluable opportunities to compete at the highest level.

Yuriy Polskiy, President of the Asian Tennis Federation and Vice President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, emphasized:

“The designation reflects years of investment into Kazakhstan’s tennis infrastructure and talent pipeline. We are proud to see Kazakhstan’s leadership in tennis acknowledged at the highest level.”

Gorky Tennis Park: Transformed for Excellence

Under the stewardship of Bulat Utemuratov, Gorky Tennis Park has undergone extensive renovations in recent years. The upgrades included the launch of a professional tennis academy, expanded training facilities, and the construction of new clay courts built to Roland-Garros specifications.

These enhancements are part of Utemuratov’s broader mission to give Kazakhstan’s next generation of athletes the tools to succeed—from grassroots programs to elite-level competition.

A Bright Future for Tennis in Kazakhstan

This partnership between Gorky Tennis Park and the French Tennis Federation does more than raise a flag of prestige; it provides a pathway for young Central Asian players to the international stage. It also reflects a carefully executed strategy by the KTF to position Kazakhstan as a hub of tennis excellence in Asia.

The Roland-Garros Club designation is both a recognition of Kazakhstan’s achievements to date and a promise of what’s to come: a thriving tennis culture built on global partnerships, world-standard facilities, and bold investment in talent.

From local grassroots programs to hosting ATP tournaments and now junior Roland-Garros qualifiers, Kazakhstan is ensuring its presence will be felt on clay courts worldwide.