The ITF has been forced into damage control after a wildcard horror show at a women’s tournament in Nairobi sparked widespread backlash online.
A first-round match at an ITF W35 event went viral after wildcard
Hajar Abdelkader was dismantled 6-0, 6-0 in just 37 minutes, winning only three points across the entire contest.
An Egyptian tennis player gained attention after her strangely embarrassing performance at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) held in Nairobi, Kenya, which even prompted the organisation to issue a statement acknowledging the error.
The 21-year-old player, Hajar… pic.twitter.com/HogGqe18fL
— The Siasat Daily (@TheSiasatDaily) January 9, 2026
Abdelkader won only three points in the entire match — two from her opponent’s double faults and one unforced error. She did not win a single game and managed just one rally point of her own, late in the second set.
Cutting an unusual figure on the dusty clay court, Abdelkader wore a black T-shirt and leggings and struggled visibly in the humid conditions. Her serving was particularly alarming: she hit 20 double faults, landed just 8.3% of first serves, and at times appeared unsure where to stand while serving.
When rallies did develop, Abdelkader’s returns often failed to cross the net, and her grip on the racket looked uneasy throughout. Schaedel, ranked world No. 1026, barely had to extend herself to close out the match.
Tournament organisers later conceded the wildcard should never have been issued, forcing the ITF to respond publicly.
Here is Tennis Kenya’s statement regarding Egyptian player Hajar Abdelkader Wildcard at the ITF W35 in Nairobi.
This follows the circulation of social media videos that raised questions about her level of play. pic.twitter.com/RAIcBlgx2j
— Katami Michelle (@MichKatami) January 8, 2026
“The outcome showed this was clearly not the case and was unacceptable for a World Tennis Tour event,” an ITF spokesperson said, while also calling the situation unfortunate for the player.
The governing body confirmed it is now reviewing wildcard procedures, including the introduction of minimum playing standards to prevent a repeat.
With the World Tennis Tour spanning more than 1,250 events in 75 countries and acting as the gateway to elite tennis, the episode has triggered uncomfortable questions about oversight, standards and accountability at the entry level.
(with Reuters inputs)
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