A professional women's tennis match at the ITF W35 tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, has generated discussion following the performance of a wildcard entrant. On Wednesday, 21-year-old Egyptian player Hajar Abdelkader lost her first-round match to World No. 1026 Lorena Schaedel with a score of 6-0, 6-0. The match, which lasted 37 minutes, prompted a statement from tournament organizers.
Match Overview
The contest featured Lorena Schaedel against Hajar Abdelkader. Schaedel secured the victory, winning all twelve games played without dropping a set.
Abdelkader recorded 20 double faults during the match, out of 24 service points. Her three points scored were the result of two double faults by Schaedel and one unforced error from Schaedel. During the match, Abdelkader experienced difficulties in hitting the ball over the net, and the umpire reportedly reminded her of the correct standing position to commence points on multiple occasions. Lorena Schaedel, her opponent, dropped a total of three points throughout the match.
Player Background and Tournament Entry
According to her International Tennis Federation (ITF) profile, this match marked Hajar Abdelkader's first appearance at a tour-level event. Her profile also indicates she has seven years of tennis experience. Abdelkader participated in the tournament after receiving a wildcard, which was understood to be a late substitution for a Kenyan player.
Organizer Response and Public Discussion
Tournament organizers, Tennis Kenya, subsequently addressed the situation. They acknowledged that the player should not have been permitted to compete. Footage from the match and its outcome generated significant discussion across social media platforms.