NUR-SULTAN, August 20, 2021 (KTF Press Release)
Following the updated official ATP calendar, the Astana Open ATP 250 tournament will be held in the capital of Kazakhstan from 19 to 26 September 2021 at the Nur-Sultan National Tennis Center (NTC), as reported by the press service of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation (KTF).
“We are thankful to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for their Board and the players having highly appreciated the level and quality of our event last year,” emphasized the KTF Vice-president Yuriy Polskiy.
“Several competitions, which were supposed to be held this fall in China, have been canceled due to a new wave of the spread of coronavirus infection. The leadership of the ATP was alarmed by this fact, so when we agreed to take over one of the events, they appreciated we accommodated their request. This is a good opportunity for us to host such a prestigious event at minimum costs, while it opens the way for our youth,” said Mr. Polskiy.
A week before the start of Astana Open, Kazakhstan’s National Championships for men and women will be held in Nur-Sultan.
“It was important for us to hold the national championship before the start of the Astana Open, as the winner of the Kazakhstan Championship will have the opportunity to play in the main draw and qualification of this year’s main event (Astana Open 2021). In particular, the Kazakhstan Championship winners will receive wild cards into the main draw, while the runners-up and finalists will receive wild cards into the qualification. This is a great opportunity for our young and talented players to prove and profile themselves,” concluded Mr. Polskiy.
All the top players of Kazakhstan’s men’s team, led by the country’s No. 1 Alexander Bublik and experienced Mikhail Kukushkin, Andrey Golubev and Alexander Nedovyesov, will play in the main round of the Astana Open 250 2021 while our young players will first have to pass through the so-called “crucible” of the Kazakhstan Championships. They are Dmitry Popko, Timofey Skatov, Denis Yevseyev, Beibit Zhukayev, Dostanbek Tashbulatov, Grigoriy Lomakin.
A surprise for the fans will be that the organizers intend to admit a limited number of children to the matches. Prior to entering the site of the NTC, children will have to undergo PCR testing in compliance with all hygiene requirements. This is a good opportunity for the kids to witness matches of the top athletes and cheer for their favorite tennis players. Unfortunately, fans will not be able to enter the arena. Broadcasting of the event’s matches will be provided on the KTF official website as well as via Kazakhstan’s TV channels.