{"id":12457,"date":"2026-01-09T04:17:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T04:17:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/12457\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T04:17:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T04:17:11","slug":"officials-admit-to-big-error-after-tennis-match-goes-viral-for-players-lack-of-skill-in-itf-event-in-kenya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/12457\/","title":{"rendered":"Officials admit to big error after tennis match goes viral for player\u2019s lack of skill in ITF event in Kenya"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tennis<\/a> Kenya have admitted to a mistake in giving unraked player Hajar Abdelkader a wildcard after videos from the lopsided match went viral.<\/p>\n

The player from Egypt was a late inclusion into the ITF tournament in Nairobi and found herself in a matchup against world No.1026 Lorena Schaedel.<\/p>\n

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Unranked player in pro-tennis match goes viral.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

The 21-year-old only won three points in the 6-0, 6-0 demolition that lasted just 37 minutes.<\/p>\n

Footage of the match have since gone viral with Abdelkader looking like she had never played tennis before.<\/p>\n

She showed little co-ordination with racquet in hand, double faulting 20 times from 24 serving attempts.<\/p>\n

Abdelkader ended up winning three points. Two came from double faults by Schaedel, while the other was an unforced error from the German after Abdelkader managed to keep the ball in play.<\/p>\n

Abdelkader also seemed to have a loose grasp of the rules with Schaedel often telling her opponent where to stand on the court.<\/p>\n

The match only went 37 minutes because of all the time wasted by Abdelkader amid her confusion with the rules and struggles with her serve.<\/p>\n

Many fans wondered how Abdelkader was given a wildcard into the tournament and those questions have been answered.<\/p>\n

Tennis Kenya explained a late withdrawal from another player left organisers with no other options, but Abdelkader had indicated she had an appropriate level to compete.<\/p>\n

\u201cMs Abdelkader was granted a wildcard for week two of the event after submitting a formal request,\u201d they said in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe slot became available following a short notice withdrawal by the originally awarded main draw wildcard recipient, who opted into the wualifying draw.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the time, Ms Abdelkader was the only other player who had requested a wildcard, and the decision was taken on the information provided and in the interest of maintaining a full and balanced draw while supporting the development of tennis in Africa.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn hindsight, Tennis Kenya acknowledges that this wildcard should not have been granted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe federation has taken note of this experience and will ensure that such an extremely rare occurrence never happen again.<\/p>\n

\u201cTennis Kenya remains committed to fairness, transparency and the integrity of competition, as well as to the continued development of tennis in Kenya, East Africa, and across Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n

In recent years there has been a constant outcry \u2014 and calls for an investigation \u2014 over the wildcards handed out in lower tier matches.<\/p>\n

There was widespread fury last year when Australian doubles pair Bernard Tomic and Omar Jasika featured in match against US billionaire Bill Ackman.<\/p>\n

Ackman is the founder of a hedge fund management company and according to Forbes is worth more than $9 billion.<\/p>\n

And, at 59 years old, he managed to get himself into the 2025 Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island, to play doubles with former US tennis star Jack Sock.<\/p>\n

The match was notable for the players appeared to be delicate, and tapped the ball around the court.<\/p>\n

After that tennis storm, Ackman issued a statement, saying \u201cit was a very humbling experience that gives one even more respect for the pros who play for a living in front of the cameras and the crowds\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor all but the top players, they also struggle financially as they manage their small businesses working to recruit and retain talent, manage expenses, balance their budgets, and pay their taxes on time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever respect we already have for these incredible athletes, it is not enough. They deserve more of our applause and appreciation.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the time, famous American sports journalist Jon Wertheim said it was bad for tennis and the tournament now lacked \u201cintegrity\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cNote, too, that this guy \u2014 who took a legit player\u2019s draw spot \u2014 is helping bankroll the PTPA, which just filed a federal suit that, in part, seeks more \u2018earning opportunities\u2019 for players ….,\u201d he said on social media.<\/p>\n

Tennis champions Andy Roddick and Martina Navratilova also weighed in.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a disaster … the biggest joke I\u2019ve ever watched in professional tennis,\u201d Roddick said.<\/p>\n

And Navratilova said: \u201cApparently you can buy yourself a wild card. Oh to have the confidence \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

– With AAP<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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Aussie ace Alex de Minaur explains \u2018brutal\u2019 Davis Cup call<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

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