Modern professional sport is often defined by points, trophies, and lucrative sponsorships. Yet on court at the Almaty Open ATP 250 in Kazakhstan, tennis star Andrey Rublev demonstrated how elite athletics can serve a far broader human purpose by fostering inclusion and advocacy for youth on the autism spectrum.
During his tournament appearance in Almaty, Rublev took time off his competitive schedule to host an interactive session with 10 children from the Asyl Miras Autism Center.
Longstanding tradition
The event, organised by the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, forms part of a longstanding tradition that connects world-class tennis stars with local community initiatives.
Rather than a formal meet-and-greet, the session featured specialised ball-and-racket drills tailored by experts from the center and the federation to ensure a supportive, engaging atmosphere.
For Rublev, whose mother is a veteran tennis coach, working with young learners felt naturally familiar.
“First of all, it’s always a pleasure to spend time with children. They teach you so much, and there’s always something special about being part of that playful atmosphere,” Rublev shared following the session.
“The coach and I even had a bit of a laugh watching the children try to bend the rules a little as they raced each other through the exercises. My mother is also a tennis coach, so I’ve been on the court since I was very young and grew up watching how coaches work with young children.
“Every charitable initiative is incredibly meaningful, and everyone connects with it in their own way. But the most important thing is simply to do something good.”
Meaningful
Following the event, Rublev presented the young participants with tennis rackets and balls to encourage them to continue practicing their skills on court.
Rublev’s visit builds on a meaningful movement supported by international tennis icons over the years.
Previous international stars visiting Kazakhstan, including Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Elena Rybakina, Daniil Medvedev, Dominic Thiem, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Alexander Bublik, have similarly engaged with children at the Asyl Miras centers in Almaty and Astana.
Ainur Karbozova, CEO of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, emphasised the broader societal value of these interactive sports sessions.
“It is particularly important to us that children with ASD have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of life, including sports,” Karbozova explained.
“Meetings like this help broaden the understanding of inclusion not only among children but also throughout society. Spending time with professional athletes is a meaningful experience for the children and another step toward creating a more open and inclusive environment.”
Broader vision
The initiative forms part of the Foundation’s broader vision. Founded in 2014 by businessman and philanthropist Bulat Utemuratov, the organisation has invested over $250 million across healthcare, education, culture, environmental protection, and social infrastructure.
Its flagship initiative, “Autism. One World for All,” launched in 2015, now operates 13 Asyl Miras centers across 12 cities in Kazakhstan, providing free early intervention and support to more than 17 500 children to date.
The Foundation’s advocacy has gained significant international momentum in recent years. Recognised by both the European Business Association in Kazakhstan and the American Chamber of Commerce for its social contributions, the Foundation became a founding member of the Global Autism Advocacy Coalition alongside the Qatar Foundation and Autism Speaks at the United Nations in New York.
Serving as a regional hub for Central Asia and the South Caucasus, the organisation also launched a supported employment program for adults with autism in 2026 in partnership with Sweden’s RAOUL Foundation.
By pairing high-profile sporting tournaments with sustainable community outreach, Kazakhstan’s model demonstrates how international athletics can serve as a catalyst for social progress and inclusion.
A lesson that resonates across the global sporting landscape, including in South Africa.
Dave Marshall is reporting exclusively from the 2026 Almaty Open ATP 250 for The South African
