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Viral Nairobi ITF Match Raises Questions Over Wild Card After 6-0, 6-0 Loss

Viral footage of Egyptian wildcard Hajar Abdelkader’s first pro match—three points won, 20 double faults—prompts scrutiny of selection standards.

Overview

  • Abdelkader lost 6-0, 6-0 to Germany’s Lorena Schaedel, ranked No. 1026, at the ITF W35 event in Nairobi.
  • Match stats cited by outlets show just three points won in 37 minutes with 20 double faults and 8.3% first serves in.
  • Reporting identifies this as Abdelkader’s first appearance in a professional tournament main draw granted via a wildcard.
  • Clips shared by tennis accounts and Italian media highlighted striking inexperience, intensifying public questioning of the entry decision.
  • Corriere della Sera notes no official explanation from organizers or the ITF on the rationale for the wildcard at this stage.