28 Best Tennis Players Uzbekistan in the History

Max Schnur

Tennis has become a popular sport in Uzbekistan and is played by many people all over the country. The best tennis players in Uzbekistan have made a name for themselves in the international tennis circuit.

These players have achieved great success in the sport and have won multiple Grand Slam titles. Some of the most famous tennis players from Uzbekistan include Denis Istomin, Farrukh Dustov, Sanjar Fayziev, and Akgul Amanmuradova.

These players have made a mark in the world of tennis and have earned a lot of recognition for their skills and achievements. In this article, we will take a look at the best tennis players from Uzbekistan and their accomplishments.

1. Akgul Amanmuradova

Akgul Charievna Amanmuradova is a professional tennis player from Uzbekistan who is no longer active in the sport. At 1.90 meters in height (roughly 6’3″), Amanmuradova is one of the tallest female players to have ever competed in the sport of tennis.

Throughout her career, Amanmuradova has won two doubles titles on the WTA Tour as well as 10 singles and 16 doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit. These impressive accomplishments demonstrate that she was a formidable opponent on the court.

Amanmuradova’s height gave her an advantage over her opponents, particularly on the serve. This enabled her to make more powerful shots from the baseline and dominate the court with her intimidating presence.

In addition, her height also allowed her to reach more difficult shots, giving her an edge in rallies. Amanmuradova’s career accomplishments demonstrate her incredible success on the court.

She was able to achieve a high level of success in singles and doubles, winning titles on both the WTA Tour and the ITF Women’s Circuit. With her impressive height and powerful serves, Amanmuradova was a force to be reckoned with in the sport of tennis.

2. Varvara Lepchenko

Varvara Petrivna Lepchenko is an accomplished tennis player who was born in Uzbekistan and is of Ukrainian descent. She began her professional career playing for Uzbekistan, where she achieved notable success.

Lepchenko has won one singles title on the WTA Challenger Tour, as well as thirteen singles titles and one doubles title on the ITF Women’s Circuit. Her impressive accomplishments at these tournaments reflect her dedication and skill as a tennis player.

Lepchenko has proven herself to be a powerful competitor and a force to be reckoned with on the court.

3. Denis Istomin

Denis Olegovich Istomin is a professional tennis player from Uzbekistan. He has had a successful career so far and has won two singles titles. In August 2012, he reached his highest ranking ever on the ATP Tour, coming in as world No. 33.

In 2017, he achieved an impressive feat when he defeated defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic in the second round of the tournament. This was considered a major upset, as Djokovic was the heavy favorite at the time.

Istomin’s win was a major accomplishment and showed his skill as a player. He continues to compete in professional tennis events and is a Uzbekistani representative in the sport.

4. Albina Khabibulina

Albina Khabibulina is a highly accomplished former professional tennis player and a former member of the Uzbekistan Fed Cup team.

Born in Uzbekistan, she is of Tatar descent. Khabibulina has achieved great success in her tennis career, reaching her highest WTA singles ranking of 492 on 4 July 2011.

Additionally, she achieved her best doubles ranking of 208 on 4 August 2014. Khabibulina’s determination and skill has made her one of the most respected tennis players to come out of Uzbekistan.

Her presence in the Uzbekistan Fed Cup team has helped to bring recognition to the country in the world of tennis. Her talent and dedication to the sport have earned her the admiration and respect of her peers.

5. Alina Abdurakhimova

Alina Abdurakhimova is an accomplished former professional tennis player from Uzbekistan. Born in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, Abdurakhimova competed in the main draw of the 2010 Tashkent Open as a wildcard entrant.

She also featured in the qualifying draw of her home tournament an additional three times. As a professional, Abdurakhimova was a determined competitor, displaying her skill and tenacity on the court.

She has since retired from professional tennis but has left an impressive legacy as a talented player from Uzbekistan.

6. Nigina Abduraimova

Nigina Abduraimova is an accomplished tennis player from Uzbekistan. She has achieved success both in singles and doubles matches, having won 13 singles and 16 doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit.

Her singles achievements have been particularly noteworthy, as they have seen her reach a career-high ranking of No. 144 in the world on September 29, 2014. In addition, her doubles accomplishments have been equally impressive, as she has reached the No.

175 ranking in the world on September 25, 2017. Abduraimova’s sustained success in both singles and doubles matches has certainly made her stand out amongst her peers and has made her a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court.

7. Sabina Sharipova

Sabina Sharipova is an accomplished former professional tennis player from Uzbekistan. She has had a successful career, having won 15 singles and seven doubles titles on the ITF Circuit. At her peak, Sharapova achieved a single ranking of world No. 122 on 5 November 2018.

Her peak double ranking was No. 197, which she achieved on 9 October 2017. Sharapova has built a strong reputation for herself in the tennis world. Her impressive singles and doubles record speaks to her dedication and skill as a tennis player.

She has consistently proven herself a formidable opponent and is respected for her achievements in the sport. Sharipova’s success is a testament to her hard work and determination.

Her impressive rankings in both singles and doubles demonstrate that she is a well-rounded and talented player. She has been a dominant force on the court and it is clear that she is committed to her sport and to achieving success.

8. Farrukh Dustov

Farrukh Dustov is a retired professional tennis player and coach from Uzbekistan. He competed on the ITF Futures and ATP Challenger tours during his career, and he achieved his highest singles ATP ranking of No. 98 in February 2015.

He was coached throughout his career by four different individuals: Manuel Gasbarri, Boris Agostini, Petr Lebed, and Diego Rosellini. Manuel Gasbarri was a well-known Italian Coach who specialized in working with professional tennis players at a high level.

Boris Agostini was a former French professional tennis player who had a successful coaching career. Petr Lebed was a Russian tennis coach who was known for his strategic and technical approach to the sport.

Lastly, Diego Rosellini was an Argentinian tennis coach who had a wealth of experience working with players on the ITF Futures and ATP Challenger tours. Together, these four coaches helped to shape Farrukh Dustov’s career and helped him reach the heights of No.

98 in the ATP rankings. Each of the coaches brought something unique to the table and taught Dustov valuable lessons throughout his time in the sport. He was able to take these lessons and apply them to his game, allowing him to compete at a high level for many years.

Dustov’s success is a testament to the hard work he put in and the guidance of his coaches.

9. Murad Inoyatov

Murad Inoyatov is a professional Uzbekistani tennis player who has achieved great success in his career. He is currently ranked 437 in the world on the ATP Tour, a feat he achieved on May 11, 2009.

Inoyatov primarily plays on the Futures circuit and the Challenger circuit, two of the highest levels of professional tennis. The Futures circuit is the lowest tier of professional tennis, with a focus on regional tournaments.

This is where Inoyatov started his career and gained the experience necessary to move up the ranks. The Challenger circuit is the second level of professional tennis, with higher prize money than the Futures circuit.

This is where Inoyatov has had the most success, making it to the top 437 in the world. Inoyatov’s rise to the top of the rankings has been impressive. He has consistently played well in tournaments and has earned the respect of his peers.

His dedication to the sport has been rewarded with a top 437 ranking, and he has proven that he can compete with the best in the world. He is an inspiration to aspiring tennis players in Uzbekistan and around the world.

10. Vadim Kutsenko

Vadim Kutsenko is a professional tennis player from Uzbekistan. He has achieved a great deal of success in his tennis career, reaching a peak of World number 140 in the ATP Tour rankings on June 17, 2002.

Since then, he has gone on to compete in various Futures and Challenger tournaments across the world, showcasing his excellent tennis skills. Kutsenko is a dedicated player who has worked hard to reach the level of success he has achieved.

He has consistently achieved strong placings in tournaments in Uzbekistan and across the world, making a name for himself as a talented player.

His commitment to the sport has been impressive and he has made a lasting impact on the tennis landscape. Kutsenko’s success on the court has been inspiring to many.

He has shown that hard work and dedication can lead to success in tennis and that dreams are achievable no matter where you come from.

His accomplishments have been a source of pride for Uzbekistan as a whole, and his journey to the top of the tennis world is an inspiring story for all aspiring athletes.

11. Iroda Tulyaganova

Iroda Tulyaganova is a former professional tennis player from Uzbekistan who enjoyed great success during her career. Her highest ranking in singles was 16th, while her highest ranking in doubles was 28th.

She won a total of three singles titles and four doubles titles during her time on the WTA Tour. After a successful career, she retired from professional tennis in 2010. Tulyaganova was a dominant force on the court.

She had an aggressive playing style which made her difficult to beat. She was known for her powerful groundstrokes and her ability to consistently hit accurate shots.

Her success on the court was due to her hard work and dedication. Tulyaganova’s success on the WTA Tour was an inspiration to many. She showed the world that a player from Uzbekistan could be successful against the top players in the world.

She also showed that it was possible to achieve great success without sacrificing one’s own values. Tulyaganova’s retirement from professional tennis in 2010 was a sad moment for tennis fans.

However, her legacy will live on forever as one of the most successful tennis players from Uzbekistan. She will always be remembered for her hard work, dedication and success on the court.

12. Sergey Fomin

Sergey Fomin is a professional tennis player from Uzbekistan. He has achieved a career-high singles ATP ranking of #348, which he achieved on July 25, 2022. Additionally, his highest doubles ranking was #380, reached on January 25, 2021.

As a Uzbekistani tennis player, Fomin proudly represents his country in the Davis Cup, a prestigious international tennis tournament. His debut in the competition was in a tie against Turkey, in which he showed his impressive skills and potential.

It is clear that Fomin has the talent necessary to make a name for himself in the sport, and he will no doubt continue to have success in the future.

13. Polina Merenkova

Polina Merenkova is a renowned former professional tennis player from Uzbekistan. She achieved a professional ranking of 431 in doubles by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) on 17th July 2017, which has been her career-high.

In addition to this, she has also won four doubles titles on tournaments of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Circuit. Merenkova’s tennis career has been a very successful one so far, with her winning four ITF doubles titles and reaching her career-high ranking of 431.

Her impressive performances have earned her a lot of recognition in the tennis world, and she is well-respected by her peers and other professionals in the game. She continues to be a highly sought-after player in the international tennis circuit.

Merenkova has a very unique style of playing and is known for her aggressive playing style. She is known to be very consistent with her shots and is not afraid to take risks when it comes to her game. She has a great serve and also possesses a very strong backhand.

In addition to this, her mental strength on the court is also commendable.

Overall, Polina Merenkova is a former professional Uzbekistani tennis player who has achieved a career-high doubles ranking of 431 by the Women’s Tennis Association and has won four doubles titles on tournaments of the ITF Circuit.

She is an established name in the tennis world, and her impressive performances have earned her a lot of recognition.

14. Ivanna Israilova

Ivanna Israilova is an accomplished tennis player who hails from Uzbekistan but is now a retired Russian player. She has had a successful career, having won two doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit.

She achieved her highest singles ranking of world number 417 on June 7, 2004, and reached number 313 in the WTA doubles rankings on February 9, 2004. Not only did she reach impressive rankings in her singles and doubles career, but Israilova was incredibly successful in her matches against other players.

She was known for her tenacity and drive on the court, and her ability to stay focused during the most intense of matches. She was a force to be reckoned with in her career, and her presence on the court was undeniable.

Israilova’s career was marked by her hard work and dedication to the sport. She was passionate about tennis and was always determined to improve her skills. Her determination and hard work paid off, as she was able to achieve success in both singles and doubles tournaments.

Ivanna Israilova’s career in the world of tennis is an inspiration to many. Her dedication to the sport and her success in both singles and doubles have earned her a place in the history books.

Her achievements are a testament to her commitment and passion for the game, and it is clear that she was a force to be reckoned with in the tennis world.

15. Kamila Dadakhodjaeva

Kamila Dadakhodjaeva is a former Uzbekistani tennis player who was born in the city of Tashkent. Throughout her career, she was an active member of the Uzbekistani Fed Cup team from 1999 to 2002, taking part in a total of eight different matches.

Additionally, she competed in the singles and doubles main draws of the 2000 Tashkent Open, a major event in the Uzbekistani tennis circuit. Dadakhodjaeva was known for her sporting determination and was highly respected by her peers.

She was a major contributor to the Uzbekistani tennis scene, inspiring many young players to take up the sport.

16. Lilia Biktyakova

Lilia Biktyakova is a former professional tennis player from Uzbekistan. She was born in the capital city of Tashkent and started playing tennis at a very young age. She went on to become the number one ranked player in the country.

She won several international tournaments throughout her career and was a regular on the Women’s Tennis Association tour.

Her biggest achievement was winning the Uzbekistani National Championships in 1990. Biktyakova had a successful career in the sport and was respected for her hard work and dedication. She was known for her strong groundstrokes and powerful serve.

Her ability to stay focused and motivated made her a formidable opponent on the court.

She also had a great eye for the game and was often praised for her tactical play. Biktyakova retired from professional tennis in 2002 and has since become a coach and mentor to young Uzbekistani tennis players.

She is credited with helping to develop the tennis scene in Uzbekistan, and she continues to be an inspiration to aspiring tennis players. She has also been honored by the Uzbekistan Tennis Federation for her contributions to the sport.

17. Vlada Ekshibarova

Vlada Ekshibarova is a professional tennis player who has dual citizenship in Israel and Uzbekistan. She has had a successful career in the sport, having won eight singles and fifteen doubles titles on the ITF Circuit.

The pinnacle of her career came back in 2008 when she achieved her highest world ranking of No. 352. Ekshibarova began her tennis career competing for her native Uzbekistan. She then shifted to competing for Israel in 2016.

Despite switching countries, she has still found success on the international stage. She has won multiple titles on the ITF Circuit, the most prestigious of which was her highest ranking. Ekshibarova has shown that hard work and dedication can result in achieving great success.

She has been an inspiration to many aspiring tennis players and has shown that you can achieve your goals no matter where you come from. Her story is one of determination and perseverance, and her career success is a testament to that.

18. Arina Folts

Arina Folts is a former professional tennis player from Uzbekistan. She was given a wildcard to make her debut on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour at the 2013 Tashkent Open.

Unfortunately, her debut did not go as planned and she lost in the first round to María Teresa Torró Flor of Spain.

Despite the setback, Folts has since gone on to play at several other tournaments, including the US Open and the French Open, and has shown that she is a formidable opponent on the court.

Her career may have started off on a sour note, but Folts has since proven herself to be a rising star in the world of tennis.

19. Alexandra Kolesnichenko

Alexandra Kolesnichenko is a professional tennis player from Uzbekistan. She has had some success on the ITF tour, winning one doubles title. Her highest singles ranking to date was achieved on 21 September 2009, when she was ranked at world number 577.

Her highest doubles ranking was also achieved on the same day when she was ranked at world number 517. Kolesnichenko’s dedication to the sport has resulted in her achieving some success on the international stage.

She continues to compete at a high level and is an inspiration to young tennis players from Uzbekistan.

20. Oleg Ogorodov

Oleg Ogorodov is a former professional tennis player who made his debut in 1995. He represented Uzbekistan at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, where he competed in men’s singles tennis.

His career high singles rank came on May 13, 1996, when he was ranked 101st in the world. Ogorodov achieved a remarkable feat by ranking in the top 100 in the world in his first year as a professional.

He was the first tennis player from Uzbekistan to reach the top 100 in the rankings. Ogorodov’s success was an inspiration to many young tennis players from the region and a testament to the growth of tennis in Uzbekistan.

21. Dmitri Tomashevich

Dmitri Tomashevich is a former professional tennis player who hails from Uzbekistan. A well-respected athlete in his home country, Dmitri was selected to represent Uzbekistan at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

Unfortunately, his Olympic dreams were short-lived, as he was defeated in the first round of the tournament by Slovakia’s Karol Kučera.

Nevertheless, Dmitri is still remembered fondly in Uzbekistan for his achievements as a tennis player and his dedication to representing his country at the Olympics.

22. Temur Ismailov

Temur Ismailov is a professional tennis player from Uzbekistan who is currently banned from competing. Ismailov has achieved an impressive career high singles ranking of 419th in the world, as of June 22nd, 2015.

He has also achieved a career high doubles ranking of 943rd in the world, as of July 27th, 2015. Ismailov has represented Uzbekistan in the Davis Cup competition, where he unfortunately has an overall losing record of 0-3.

Despite his unsuccessful record in the Davis Cup, Ismailov has been able to achieve some impressive rankings in singles and doubles.

This demonstrates his talent and ability on the court, and he will likely continue to improve his rankings when he is able to return to the court.

23. Khumoyun Sultanov

Khumoyun Agzamdzhanovich Sultanov is a Uzbek tennis player who has been competing on the ATP Tour for several years. Sultanov has achieved a career-high singles ranking of 299, which he achieved on 17 February 2020.

He also has a career-high doubles ranking of 451, which was achieved on 28 October 2019. Sultanov has also represented Uzbekistan at the Davis Cup, where he has a win-loss record of 1-1.

This is a testament to his talent and determination as a tennis player, as he has been able to compete on the international tennis stage.

Sultanov is certainly someone to watch out for in the coming years, as he has the potential to make a name for himself in the world of tennis.

24. Jurabek Karimov

Jurabek Karimov is a professional tennis player from Uzbekistan who is currently inactive. He achieved his highest singles ranking of 426 on the ATP rankings on August 27, 2018. Karimov’s highest doubles ranking was 279 on April 15, 2019.

In terms of his Davis Cup performance, Karimov has a win-loss record of 4-1, showing he has been successful representing his country in the event. Karimov has shown promise in his tennis career, with his rankings being a testament to his skill and talent.

He is a great example of an athlete from Uzbekistan who has been able to make a name for himself on the international tennis stage.

25. Timur Khabibulin

Timur Khabibulin is a professional tennis player hailing from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. He is of Tatar descent and has had a successful career so far. His highest ATP singles ranking was 753, achieved on 9 May 2016.

Additionally, his highest doubles ranking was 219, achieved on 9 October 2017. Khabibulin’s success in the sport is due to his hard work and dedication. He has been a dedicated and passionate player for many years, showing his commitment to the game.

His achievements are a testament to his passion and ambition. Khabibulin has been a part of the sport for many years, and his career highlights show his talent and potential. He has achieved much in his career and is an example of how hard work and dedication can pay off.

His example can serve as a motivation for aspiring tennis players, as well as other athletes. Timur Khabibulin is an excellent example of what it takes to succeed in the sport of tennis. His success is a result of his hard work, dedication, and passion.

He is an inspiration to many, and his career highlights speak for themselves.

26. Timur Ganiev

Timur Valerievich Ganiev is an Uzbekistani former professional tennis player who hails from Tashkent. In 1994, Ganiev made his debut in the Davis Cup team for Uzbekistan and was part of two ties. He also participated in the singles main draw of the 1998 President’s Cup.

Unfortunately, his first round match was against the sixth seed Marat Safin, who ultimately triumphed over Ganiev. Ganiev’s career in professional tennis was relatively brief, but he was able to make a lasting impression.

His career highlights include being part of the Uzbekistan Davis Cup team and his first round match in the 1998 President’s Cup. Although he ended up losing this match, it was a memorable experience for him.

Despite his short stint in professional tennis, Ganiev managed to make a name for himself and is remembered for his hard work and dedication to the sport.

27. Vaja Uzakov

Vaja Uzakov is a professional tennis player from Uzbekistan. He is currently ranked 698 in the ATP singles, the highest ranking he has achieved to date. Uzakov has also had success in doubles, with a career-high ATP doubles ranking of 316.

Uzakov has played in the Davis Cup for Uzbekistan, where he has accumulated a record of 0-6. Uzakov has been an active competitor on the international tennis circuit, competing in both singles and doubles.

He has been recognized for his skill and commitment to the sport, having achieved a career high ranking in singles and doubles. His record in the Davis Cup is a testament to his tenacity, despite not yet having won a match.

Uzakov is an inspiration to aspiring tennis players from Uzbekistan, as he has been able to compete at a high level in a sport where success is often dependent on resources.

His achievements, whether in singles or doubles, demonstrate that dedication and talent are key factors in achieving success.

28. Gleb Sakharov

Gleb Sakharov is a professional tennis player of Soviet-born French origin. He is currently ranked at the world No. 153 on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) singles rankings, which he achieved on 8 January 2018. His highest doubles ranking is world No.

385, which he achieved on 11 June 2012.

Throughout his career, Sakharov has won 11 ITF Futures singles titles and 9 ITF Futures doubles titles. An ITF Futures tournament is a professional men’s tennis tournament that is part of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures tournaments circuit.

These tournaments offer prize money and ranking points to players and are a stepping stone to the higher-level tournaments on the ATP Tour.

Sakharov has been successful in multiple ITF Futures tournaments and has won 11 singles titles and 9 doubles titles. Sakharov has achieved a lot of success in his professional tennis career and is currently ranked at the world No. 153 on the ATP singles rankings.

This is a fantastic achievement and one that he should be proud of. Sakharov is a great example of how dedication and hard work can lead to success, and his accomplishments should be an inspiration to aspiring tennis players.

Conclusion

Overall, it is clear that Uzbekistan is home to many talented and world-class tennis players. From Denis Istomin to Sanjar Fayziev, Uzbek tennis players have left an incredible mark on the sport and have achieved impressive results in both international and local competitions.

As the tennis scene in Uzbekistan continues to grow and develop, we can expect to see more world-class tennis players from the country in the near future.

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Max Schnur

I am a professional tennis player on the ATP Tour. I am currently ranked at #29 in the world and have been playing for more than ten years. I started practicing tennis when I was five years old and quickly became obsessed with the sport. I started playing competitively at age 10, and after turning pro in 2004, I was able to compete on the ATP Tour for a decade. As an international athlete, my life has always been about travel and my love of traveling has led me to explore different cultures around the world. When not on tour, I can be found traveling around Europe or living it up in Las Vegas with friends from all over the globe! LinkedIn