Uzbekistan to Host ATP and WTA Tennis Tournaments Starting in 2026

Funding for these tournaments will come from charitable donations, which will be used for organizing expenses and prize money. Alongside ATP and WTA events, Uzbekistan is set to regularly host the Uzbekistan Cup for juniors and adults, national championships across various age categories, the international Uzbekistan Open, and a men’s ATP Challenger tournament.

Historically, Uzbekistan has hosted top-level tournaments, including the men’s ATP President’s Cup in Tashkent from 1997 to 2002, but no ATP Tour events have occurred in the capital since then. The WTA Tashkent Open, held from 1999 to 2019, was last played between September 23-28, 2019. Consequently, a WTA tournament in Lyon replaced it on the calendar starting in 2020.

Additionally, Uzbekistan has arranged for ITF competitions in the past. A W15 tournament, planned for March 2026 in Tashkent, was unfortunately cancelled.

In a related effort to boost tennis's popularity, the Juniors Tennis Initiative program will begin on January 1, 2027. This program will introduce basic tennis lessons during physical education classes for students in grades 1-4, with schools selected based on student interest and available infrastructure. The Uzbekistan Tennis Federation will manage the program, upgrading facilities and providing necessary equipment.

By 2030, the government aims to increase the number of regular tennis players to 3,000 and the number of coaches to 200, aiming for Uzbekistan to rank among the top five Asian countries in tennis.

Starting January 1, 2027, tennis courts at sports and educational institutions capable of offering paid services will shift to self-financing, allowing them to set their own fees. Any generated revenue will first cover utility costs, with any remaining funds managed at the institutions' discretion. Courts that are not financially viable may be transferred to private investors under public-private partnerships, while ensuring that training sessions remain free for current groups.

By the same date, the authorities are required to inventory state-owned tennis courts and compile a list of facilities suitable for investor transfer. Budget savings from this transition will be allocated for providing tennis players with essentials like vitamins and sportswear.

The decree also introduces cash rewards for medalists of the Asian Games and Asian Para Games: $25,000 for gold, $12,500 for silver, and $6,250 for bronze, with coaches receiving $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500 respectively.