The results of the Turkmenistan tennis Federation (TTF) in 2025, as well as the further development of the sport, were discussed at a conference held in Ashgabat. Officials from the national federation, coaches, and athletes from the capital and regions of the country participated.
As noted at the conference, 2025 has been a year of rapid growth, international success, and remarkable achievements for Turkmenistan's national tennis.
The year began with resounding victories.
In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Suleyman Hudayberdiyev, a student from Ashgabat Specialised Secondary School № 86, won gold and silver at the U14 international tournament. The award was presented by tennis legend Rafael Nadal, the 2008 Olympic singles champion and 2016 Olympic doubles champion, winner of 22 Grand Slam tournaments, 36 «Masters» tournaments, and a five-time Davis Cup winner with the Spanish national team.
Just a few days later, 11-year-old Sulgun Ishangulyyeva won the TEN-PRO Global Junior Tour title in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
At the same time, introductory tennis master classes began in schools across the country, engaging children in professional sports.
The teams of Turkmenistan made a strong start to the season at the ITF World Junior qualifying tournament in Bahrain. The U14 girls reached the quarterfinals of the world qualifying tournament and finished in the top five among 18 countries in the region. The U14 boys also performed successfully, winning four victories and finishing in the top eight of the competition in Bahrain.
The Tennis Federation also actively strengthened its international ties. Specifically, the FTT leadership discussed the possibility of Turkmen athletes participating in an ATP 500 tournament in the UAE.
March brought new achievements.
The U16 tennis players made a brilliant start to the Billie Jean King Cup qualifying round, defeating Vietnam 3-0 in Kuching, Malaysia.
Ashgabat hosted a tournament of children to commemorate International Women's Day, as well as the first amateur tournament of the year.
The Turkmen team competed in the World 30+ Championship for the first time and reached the quarterfinals, achieving a historic 2:1 victory over Canada.
The Turkmenistan Tennis Federation and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) signed a Memorandum of Partnership, launching the first «Wheelchair Tennis» program of the country. A training seminar for coaches working with children with disabilities was later held, resulting in 12 specialists receiving new qualifications.
This summer, our athletes successfully competed at the Central Asian U12 Championship among teams from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. The team of girls defeated their Uzbek counterparts for the first time in history, earning a spot in the Asian final. The team of boys earned bronze medals. Upon returning home, the team was greeted with honour, and the Federation congratulated the players on their new stage of growth and international recognition.
Turkmen tennis players won gold medals in three events and one bronze medal at the international U14 tournament held in Nonthaburi, Thailand, part of Greater Bangkok. This success for our national tennis team was recognized by the tournament organizers, propelling our team to first place overall among 12 countries.
In August, Ashgabat hosted the first ITF Level 2 regional training seminar, which resulted in coaches from Turkmenistan, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan improving their skills to prepare high-class tennis players.
Autumn was a busy time for tournaments.
In September, the opening ceremony of the Asian U12 Team Competition took place in Singapore. The Turkmen U12 team of girls, having successfully qualified for the finals of the Asian Championship, defeated Jordan and reached the top eight.
Nazli Hudaygulyyeva and Ilima Huseynova performed brilliantly at the Ramis Cup tournament in Dushanbe.
That same month, another training seminar, Play Tennis, was held in Ashgabat. Following this, the ATF added 15 new certified coaches to its staff, bringing the total number of specialists to 60.
A notable event in the sporting calendar was the Turkmenistan Junior Tennis Championships for U18s, which brought together over 300 athletes from all regions of the country.
Red, Orange, and Green Ball competitions were also held, attracting dozens of young participants.
At the General Assembly of the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) in Almaty, the rapid growth in popularity of tennis in Turkmenistan was noted.
In November, the main event of the month was the presentation of a project between the ATF and UNICEF – a program to support children with disabilities and develop wheelchair tennis in our country.
On the 15th of November, «Ashgabat» park hosted the annual inclusive festival «We are different, we are equal», united by the idea of creating an environment where everyone feels part of society. The festival brought together community organisations, athletes, families, and ordinary citizens, creating an atmosphere of warmth, creativity, and unity. Tennis once again became a bridge between people without barriers or limitations.
On the 22nd of November, Turkmenistan celebrated World Children's Day under the motto «Neutrality and Humanity: Comprehensive Support for an Inclusive Future». The event was held at the Tennis complex of the Olympic village in Ashgabat, recognised by the Asian Tennis Federation as the «Training centre of the Asian region». Children with and without disabilities played together on inclusive tennis courts, and families participated in activities demonstrating the real-life services available to children. The celebration demonstrated that every child has the right to learn, play, and develop, regardless of their disabilities.
Another remarkable event was the remarkable success of the Turkmen tennis players at the Davis Cup Zonal Tournament in Bahrain. Convincingly winning Group «C» and then the playoff match against Guam 3-0, our compatriots secured a spot in Group IV of the Asia-Oceania Zone, where they will compete in 2026.
Thus, 2025 has become a year of great change, growth, victories, and new opportunities for our tennis players. The recent successes demonstrate the confident progress of the Turkmenistan tennis Federation toward new heights.
At the conference, athletes and coaches of the Turkmenistan team of men, which successfully competed in the Davis Cup zonal tournament in Bahrain, as well as several senior officials of the Turkmenistan Tennis Federation, were recognised for their significant contribution to the development of tennis with diplomas.
The forum participants also unanimously voted to accept new members into the Turkmenistan tennis Federation.
At the end of the conference, the participants expressed their sincere gratitude to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen People, Hero-Arkadag, for their enormous attention to sports development and assured them of their commitment to enhancing the country's sporting prestige.
Following the official part of the conference, the FTT participants discussed tennis development plans for 2026 in a relaxed atmosphere, like a New Year's Eve party.
