Almaty Open ATP 250: Star-Studded Entry List Faces Major Shake-Up After Bublik Withdrawal
Almaty, Kazakhstan – The excitement surrounding the 2025 Almaty Open ATP 250 tournament remains high, but the entry list has undergone a significant revision following the withdrawal of local hero and fan favorite, Alexander Bublik. The initial star-studded roster, which promised a battle between top-ranked players, has been adjusted, though the field remains deeply competitive for the title in Kazakhstan.
The tournament, a premier ATP 250 event held on indoor hard courts from October 13–19, will now be headlined by an all-Russian top two: defending champion Karen Khachanov (World No. 10) and former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev (World No. 18). Khachanov, known for his relentless power, will aim to repeat his 2024 success, while Medvedev seeks to find late-season form after a period of tactical adjustments.
The Home Hero Departs: Bublik Cites Foot Injury
The biggest news impacting the event is the absence of Kazakhstan’s charismatic star, Alexander Bublik. Initially set to be the third seed and a massive draw for the local crowd, Bublik formally withdrew from the tournament. According to reports, the decision was made to allow the World No. 16 to recover from a lingering injury following a strenuous period on the Asian swing.
Sources close to the player indicated that Bublik is dealing with a foot injury that had been bothering him since his successful run at the Hangzhou Open, where he clinched his fourth title of the 2025 season. Having had a phenomenal year and with a grueling schedule ahead, Bublik opted for caution. His withdrawal is a considerable blow to the local fan base, who were eager to see him compete for a title on home soil.
The Re-Shuffled Top Eight Seeds
Bublik’s withdrawal necessitated a reshuffle of the seeds, elevating several players into protected positions. The highly competitive nature of the field remains, with an international array of talent vying for the crown:
- Karen Khachanov (RUS): Remains the top seed and defending champion.
- Daniil Medvedev (RUS): Solidifies the second seed spot, bringing elite status to the draw.
- Flavio Cobolli (ITA): Now the third seed, the Italian (World No. 22) has had a breakthrough season, reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.
- Luciano Darderi (ITA): The World No. 29 moves up to the fourth seed, continuing the strong Italian presence.
- Brandon Nakashima (USA): Jumps to the fifth seed, looking to capitalize on his solid indoor hard court game.
- Alex Michelsen (USA): The rising American talent takes the sixth seed spot.
- Gabriel Diallo (CAN): The runner-up from the 2024 edition is now the seventh seed, hoping to go one step further this year.
- Corentin Moutet (FRA): The mercurial Frenchman (World No. 38) claims the final seeded position (eighth), guaranteeing him a bye into the second round.
The main draw also features a host of dangerous unseeded players, including Fabian Marozsan, Hamad Medjedovic, and Jan-Lennard Struff (who entered as an alternate after a different withdrawal), ensuring tough battles from the very first round.
The Almaty Open, the only ATP 250 tournament in Central Asia, offers more than just tennis. The event at the Almaty Arena is designed as a sports and cultural festival, featuring a vibrant fan zone, family activities, and live musical performances throughout the week, reinforcing its unique position on the ATP calendar despite the unfortunate loss of its top local player.
With the main draw set, all focus shifts to the court, where Khachanov and Medvedev are the clear frontrunners, but the highly motivated field, eager to claim a late-season title, promises to deliver a week of intense and unpredictable tennis in Almaty.
