Tournament chiefs admit errors over worst-ever viral wildcard

Tournament organisers in Nairobi said they made a mistake in granting a wildcard entry to a player whose struggles with the basics of tennis went viral on social media.

Hajar Abdelkader, competing under an Egyptian flag, lost 6-0 6-0 to German world number 1,026 Lorena Schaedel in 37 minutes at an International Tennis Federation (ITF) W35 tournament on Wednesday, winning only three points and committing 20 double faults.

The 21-year-old amateur appeared unfamiliar with how to play the sport, landing fewer than one in 10 first serves and needing her opponent to direct her to the correct side of the court, as clips went viral with some calling it the “worst-ever” professional debut.

Tennis Kenya, hosts of the event, said Abdelkader was given a last-minute wildcard after another player withdrew shortly before the tournament, looking to maintain a full and balanced draw. The decision, they said, was taken based on information provided by the player.

“In hindsight, this wildcard should not have been granted,” Tennis Kenya said in a statement on Thursday. “The federation has taken note of this experience and will ensure that such an extremely rare occurrence never happens again.”

The Egyptian Tennis Federation distanced themselves from the debacle, telling the Daily Mail and BBC that Abdelkader is not registered with the organisation and played no role in her nomination or entry.

They added that they had no further information about her tennis background, despite her ITF profile stating that she has played the sport since the age of 14.

Tennis Kenya said they had contacted both players involved to offer support following the extent and nature of the coverage of the lopsided match, which was part of the entry level of professional tennis where events still award prize money and ranking points.