The International Tennis Federation (ITF) says it will review its wildcard process after a debut performance by Egyptian player Hajar Abdelkader went viral.

Viral Match Sparks Concern

Abdelkader, 21, made her ITF W35 debut in Nairobi, Kenya, and lost 6-0 6-0 to German opponent Lorena Schaedel, ranked 1,026th in the world. The match lasted just 37 minutes, with Abdelkader serving 20 double faults and winning only three points—two from double faults and one from an opponent’s unforced error.

A spokesperson for the ITF said:

“The outcome showed this was clearly not the case and was unacceptable for a World Tennis Tour event, along with being unfortunate for the player. We acknowledge proportionate measures must be taken to prevent this happening again.”

Wildcard Allocation Under Review

Abdelkader received a wildcard after a last-minute withdrawal, according to Tennis Kenya, the tournament host. Officials said the entry was intended to maintain balance in the draw, but they later admitted she should not have competed.

The ITF is now exploring a minimum playing standards requirement for wildcard entrants to ensure similar situations do not occur in future events.

Player Support

Both Abdelkader and Schaedel have been offered support after the intense media coverage of the match. Meanwhile, the Egyptian Tennis Federation confirmed that Abdelkader had never been affiliated with the organisation.

Key Takeaways

• ITF to review wildcard procedures to prevent inexperienced players from entering World Tennis Tour events.
• Tournament organisers now acknowledge mistakes in player selection.
• Abdelkader’s match highlights the importance of minimum skill standards in professional-level competitions.