ALMATY, Kazakhstan, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev joined 10 children with autism for a tennis session in Kazakhstan on Monday, as organizers of the ATP Almaty Open sought to promote inclusion through sport.

The event, organized by the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation in partnership with the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, brought together Rublev and children from the foundation's Asyl Miras Autism Center at Almaty's Alatau Tennis Center.

Held on the sidelines of the ATP 250 tournament, the session featured adapted ball-and-racket exercises, accuracy drills and other activities designed to introduce the children to tennis in a relaxed environment.

"It was a great experience. First of all, it's always a pleasure to spend time with children. They teach you so much, and there's always something special about being part of that playful atmosphere," Rublev said.

The Russian, whose mother is a tennis coach, said he had grown up watching how coaches worked with young children.

"Every charitable initiative is incredibly meaningful, and everyone connects with it in their own way. But the most important thing is simply to do something good," he added.

The initiative forms part of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation's efforts to encourage wider participation in the sport, which has undergone significant development in the country under federation president Bulat Utemuratov.

Ainur Karbozova, CEO of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, said sporting activities could help create a more inclusive environment for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

"It is particularly important to us that children with ASD have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of life, including sports," she said.

"Meetings like these help broaden the understanding of inclusion not only among children but also throughout society."

The initiative has previously attracted leading players including Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Elena Rybakina and Daniil Medvedev.

The Almaty Open, which runs through Sunday, is one of Kazakhstan's leading international tennis tournaments.