Famous tennis players Stan Wawrinka and Dominic Thiem visited the Autism Centre in Astana

In what has become a tradition at the Astana Open, Grand Slam winners Stan Wawrinka and Dominic Thiem visited a center for autistic children in Kazakhstan’s capital city on Monday.

The duo received paintings from the children at Asyl Miras and in turn handed gifts to them.

«The center is truly impressive,» said Thiem, who additionally noted the qualified personnel who help the kids.

Bulat Utemuratov — the president of Kazakhstan’s Tennis Federation — has now opened 12 such centers in the country. Two feature in Astana.

Last year, Novak Djokovic — now a 24-time Grand Slam champion — and fellow Grand Slam winners Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev also stopped by ahead of their opening matches. So did Grand Slam semifinalist Felix Auger-Aliassime.

The assistance provided by the foundation is «very important,» said Wawrinka, who has a daughter. «It's important to help these kids and give them the skills they need in life,» the Swiss star added.

Early diagnosis is key, as indicated by the World Health Organization.

«A broad range of interventions, from early childhood and across the life span, can optimize the development, health, well-being and quality of life of autistic people,» it said on its website. «

«Timely access to early evidence-based psychosocial interventions can improve the ability of autistic children to communicate effectively and interact socially.

«The monitoring of child development as part of routine maternal and child health care is recommended.»

Marat Aitmagambetov, director of the foundation, said early signs of autism that parents might note include lack of eye contact, lack of speech and not wanting to play with other children.

So far, about 15,000 children with autism spectrum disorder have benefited from intervention programs through the foundation.

Meanwhile, the players’ visits have become a «good tradition,» stated Aitmagambetov.

«We are happy to see that children receive positive emotions from such meetings and discover new knowledge about the world around them,» said Aitmagambetov. «And we sincerely hope that one day, after meeting with star players, children will become interested in this sport, or perhaps they themselves will want to play tennis.»