👦 Emir Aitbayev | Tennis Papers interview, December 2025

“My dream is to play and win a Grand Slam final against Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz.”

Meet Emir Aitbayev, Kazakh boy junior tennis player who lives in Almaty, Kazakhstan and competing in U12 and U14 tennis category.
Emir is ranked #4 in Kazakhstan in his age category and competes in ATF and Tennis Europe international tournaments.

(Information gathered via an exclusive interview by Tennis Papers).

📘 Emir Aitbayev | Biography, December 2025

🏔️ Almaty, Kazakhstan 🇰🇿

🌲 Set against the majestic Tien Shan peaks
🏙️ Blend of modern life and Soviet-era charm
🍎 Famous for apples, cafés, and cozy food spots
🎶 Lively arts, music & café culture
🌄 A gateway to nature, hikes & alpine lakes

🎙️Emir Aitbayev | Interview, December 2025

Hello, introduce yourself please.

My name is Emir Aitbayev, I’m 12 years old, I was born on August 13, 2013.
I live in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

What languages do you speak?

Russian and English.

At what age did you start playing tennis?

At the age of 6.

Are there other tennis players in your family?

Yes, my younger brother is a beginner tennis player.

In which club do you train?

Kazakhmys Tennis Club

Who are your coaches?

A. Mishchenko, A. Khlebnikov, A. Turgunov, B. Turgunov

What is your weekly training routine?

I train every day except Sunday for about 3 hours: 2 hours of tennis and 1 hour of fitness.

As an athlete, what is your greatest quality and what do you need to improve?

I fight for every point until the very last ball. There is still a lot to improve at my age.

What is your junior category and your national ranking?

I compete in two categories: U12 and U14. My national ranking is No. 4

What has been your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievements so far are international tournament victories and consistent performances at a high junior level.

In which countries have you already played tournament?

Greece, Turkey, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Uzbekistan.

Do you have any sponsors?

Not yet, unfortunately.

What is your goal for 2026?

To win a Tennis Europe U14 series tournament.

What is your tennis dream?

To play and win a Grand Slam final against Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz.

Who are your favorite tennis players?

Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic.

What do you like to do outside of tennis?

I enjoy nature, walking, and traveling.

To which people would you like to dedicate this interview?

I dedicate this interview to myself — to the tennis player I will become in 6–10 years.

Thanks a lot Emir!
Tennis Papers wishes you the best in your tennis life 💜🩷