Stefanos Tsitsipas makes touching gesture to Mikhail Kukushkin after ending his career

Thursday, 22 October 2026 at 01:00

Tsitsipas raises his right arm celebrating a victory in Monte Carlo

Stefanos Tsitsipas shared a touching moment with Mikhail Kukushkin after defeating the Kazakh in the second round of the 2026 Almaty Open. Following his 6-1, 6-2 victory, the Greek approached his opponent and asked him to sign a shirt as a souvenir from the final match of the veteran’s professional career.

The encounter marked the end of Kukushkin’s time on the ATP Tour, with the 38-year-old having announced that the tournament in his home country would be his last. Although Tsitsipas dominated the match, his gesture afterwards offered a personal moment of recognition for a player who had spent years competing at the highest level.

Kukushkin had entered the tournament ranked No. 389 in the world and hoped to extend his farewell in front of the home crowd. He had won his opening match in Almaty, but Tsitsipas proved too strong, wrapping up the contest in just over an hour.

The Greek’s victory also extended his perfect head-to-head record against Kukushkin to 6-0 and secured his place in the quarter-finals, where he was set to face Australia's James Duckworth. However, the moment after the match provided a memorable conclusion to Kukushkin’s career.

Tsitsipas makes touching gesture after Kukushkin’s farewell

After the final point, Tsitsipas approached Kukushkin to ask for his signature on a shirt that he could keep as a souvenir. The gesture came on a significant day for the Kazakh, who was playing his last professional tournament after a career spanning many years on the international circuit.

Rather than simply celebrating his straight-sets victory, Tsitsipas took the opportunity to mark the occasion with a personal memento. The exchange offered a fitting moment of respect for Kukushkin as he said goodbye to competitive tennis in front of his home supporters.

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Kukushkin reached a career-high ranking of world No. 39 in 2019 and established himself as one of Kazakhstan’s leading tennis players. One of the biggest highlights of his career came in 2010, when he won the ATP 250 title in St. Petersburg, the most significant singles title of his career.

He reached three further ATP finals, finishing runner-up in Moscow in 2013, Sydney in 2015 and Marseille in 2019. He also enjoyed notable runs at Grand Slam tournaments, reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2019.

Beyond the main tour, Kukushkin won nine titles on the secondary circuit, demonstrating the consistency that helped him remain a professional player for so long. His career also included representing Kazakhstan in international competition, making him a familiar figure to tennis fans in his adopted sporting home.

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Kukushkin ends career in Kazakhstan

The decision to make the Almaty Open his final tournament gave Kukushkin the opportunity to bring his career to a close in front of a home crowd. His opening-round victory allowed him to play at least one more match before meeting Tsitsipas, who ended his run with a convincing performance.

Although the scoreline left little doubt about the outcome, the Greek’s gesture ensured that Kukushkin’s final match was remembered for more than the result. The signed shirt will serve as a souvenir from the occasion and a reminder of the respect between players on the tour.

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For Tsitsipas, the focus now turns to the quarter-finals as he continues his campaign in Almaty. For Kukushkin, the defeat marks the end of a career that included an ATP title, a top-40 ranking and fourth-round appearances at two Grand Slam tournaments.

His final appearance may have ended in defeat, but the moment shared with Tsitsipas provided a fitting personal touch to his farewell from professional tennis.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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