FTU

Development of Tennis in Uzbekistan

The development of tennis in Uzbekistan reflects the rapid growth of both the nation’s general and sporting culture.

Early Beginnings (1903–1917)

• Tennis arrived in Turkestan (now Uzbekistan) in the early 1900s — the first tennis court in Tashkent was built in 1903, led by Czech instructor Van Draček at a craft school. The court was rudimentary: a hand-woven net, manually drawn lines, and no fencing.

• Prior to 1917, there were no official tournaments in the Turkestan region, but courts existed in several cities: Tashkent (2), Fergana (2), Khujand (then Leninabad, 2), Kokand (1), Samarkand (2), Bukhara (1).

Interwar Period (1920s–1930s)

• Tennis in early Turkestan was mostly limited to factory and industry owners, as well as the educated elite, due to the high cost of building courts and buying equipment.

• The 1928 All‑Union Spartakiad played a pivotal role in boosting tennis. By then, around 16 courts were active in Tashkent.

• By 1936, Tashkent’s open championship included 90 players, including 22 women. The sport began spreading beyond the elite to factory workers in Tashkent, Andijan, Bukhara, Kokand, Fergana, and others.

Soviet-Era Growth (1940s–1980s)

• During World War II (1941–45), despite wartime pressures, tennis continued and many Uzbek players—such as A. E. Plotnikov, M. B. Sinelnikov, and E. E. Petushkov—were awarded medals and orders.

• In the postwar years, sports societies ramped up training. Coaches like A. E. Plotnikov, V. A. Kaplan, N. E. Kozlov, and M. F. Yachmenev trained hundreds of players. Some, like E. Larina (Bantle) and V. Kaplan, became top Soviet tennis players. Prominent Uzbek players of national origin also emerged.

• From 1949 to 1969, academician Ubay Arifovich Arifov led the Uzbek Tennis Federation. Under his leadership, courts were built, tennis booklets published, and rackets and balls produced locally. In 1960, the “Prize of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Uzbek SSR” tennis tournament began in Tashkent—later evolving into an international youth event by the 1980s.

• In the 1960s–70s, tennis infrastructure expanded: in Almalyk (2 courts in 1962, +3 in 1980), Samarqand (5), Andijan (4), Bukhara (4), Namangan (7). By then, Tashkent had 58 courts. The “Dynamo” stadium (completed in 1970) and later additional indoor courts became among the USSR’s best tennis bases.

• In 1986, eight more courts opened in the Yunus‑Abad district. The USSR Tennis Federation assisted with seminars led by experts such as S. P. Belits‑Geiman (1959 & 1969), E.Ya. Kree, A.A. Velts, and A.P. Skorodumova (1977 & 1980).

• Since 1959, the Uzbek State Institute of Physical Culture has trained tennis specialists. Between 1953 and 1986, 35 Masters of Sport of the USSR were developed in Uzbekistan.

Performance in Soviet Competitions

• Among Central Asian republics, Uzbekistan fielded one of the stronger teams. Still, on the broader Soviet stage, top results were modest: best was 8th place in Spartakiads and junior championships (in 1977, 8th; in 1982, 5th).

• The April 1981 decree by the CPC of Uzbekistan called for further tennis development. Major tournaments during the 1983 Spartakiad were held in Tashkent.

• In 1990, Viktor Bogatyryov became the first Master of Sport of International Class from Uzbekistan. Oleg Ogorodov and others also achieved success in youth and international play. In the 1991 Spartakiad in Moscow, Uzbekistan’s team came 3rd overall, securing two bronze medals.

Independence and International Membership (1992–94)

• After the Soviet Union’s dissolution, Uzbekistan rapidly moved to form its own Tennis Federation. In September 1992, the Tennis Federation of Uzbekistan was officially recognized as an associate member of the International Tennis Federation (ITF)—alongside Russia and Ukraine.

• This membership enabled Uzbek players to compete under their own flag. Despite limited foreign funds, in spring 1993, ITF development officer David Maily visited Uzbekistan, praised its tennis infrastructure, and encouraged full ITF membership.

• By August 1993, a $6,000 grant was received to support Oleg Ogorodov and Dmitriy Tomashevich’s participation in satellite events in Turkey and Pakistan. In September 1993, Uzbekistan became a full ITF member.

Hosting Tournaments and Davis Cup Entry (1994–1999)

• Starting in 1994, Uzbekistan hosted the President’s Cup professional tournament (prize fund US $125,000), along with satellite events such as the “Great Silk Road” series.

• Uzbek teams were approved to participate in the Davis Cup: in April 1994, Uzbekistan debuted in the Asia–Oceania zone in Doha (Group III), winning all matches and earning promotion to Group II. From 1996, they competed in Group I, facing powerhouse nations like Australia, Spain, Czech Republic, etc. This rapid rise was highlighted by ITF President Ricci Bitti during his visit to Uzbekistan.

Women, Juniors & Growing Infrastructure (1995 onwards)

• The women’s national team made its Fed Cup debut in 1995, and by 1997 had advanced to Group I.

• Iroda Tulyaganova became a star—winning WTA titles in Austria, Belgium, and Tashkent, earning gold at the Asian Games in Pusan, and reaching a career-high world ranking of #16. She helped the national women’s team establish and maintain status in Asia/Oceania Fed Cup Group I.

• From 1996 to 2006, junior national teams (U‑14, U‑16) advanced to ITF World Junior Cup finals: U‑14 in Japan (1996) and U‑16 in Canada (1997).

• National participation in tennis grew: from approximately 1,700 players in 1994, to over 11,000 in 1999, and reached 17,652 by the mid‑2000s. Each region established tennis youth schools and clubs; the number of physical culture collectives engaged in tennis grew from 12 (1992) to 33.

• Court infrastructure continued to expand: Namangan (8 outdoor + 2 indoor), Andijan, Karshi, Bukhara, Khiva and other regions established modern tennis centers meeting international standards.

• Uzbekistan distinguished itself among CIS countries by hosting a large number of international tournaments: by 2007, the 27th Tashkent and 11th Namangan junior tournaments were ITF‑level events. Challenger and Futures tournaments in Samarqand, Fergana, and Andijan also gained high ITF praise. The Tashkent Open (WTA), launched in 1999, became a key fixture.

New Generation & Sustained Growth (2000s–2006+)

• In the mid‑2000s, a new generation—including Farrukh Dustov, Denis Istomin, and Murad Inoyatov—rose to prominence, debuting in the Davis Cup and ATP satellite events. Notably, in the 2005 Australian Open, Istomin faced Roger Federer on the main court and Tulyaganova made a second‑round appearance, gaining valuable experience.

• The Uzbekistan Cup, launched in 2001, was a national team championship – initially popular across regions, though its prominence later declined due to waning regional participation. The Federation and Ministry are working to revive it on a professional level.