In an astonishing turn of events during a professional tennis match, Egyptian player Hajar Abdelkader, 21, achieved a startlingly low performance rate, winning only three points. Her match ended with a score of 6-0, 6-0 against German player Lorena Schaedel in the first round of a W35 event held in Nairobi. This event, part of the Women’s World Tennis Tour, featured a total prize pool of $30,000.
Key Match Details
This match garnered significant attention not only for the scoreline but also for Abdelkader’s unexpected performance. Although listed as a wildcard entry, she had previously informed tournament organizers that her skill level was appropriate for the competition.
Match Statistics
- Match Duration: 37 minutes
- Points Won by Abdelkader: 3 (two from double faults by Schaedel and one return point)
- Service Points: Abdelkader double-faulted on 20 out of 24 attempts
Despite showing promise by participating in this recognized circuit, Abdelkader appeared overwhelmed during play. Schaedel, although ranked just outside the world’s top 1,000, capitalized on errors and consistently outperformed her opponent.
Tennis Kenya’s Response
The situation raised eyebrows within the tennis community. Tournament director Martha Tirop and other officials expressed concern but refrained from commenting immediately. However, Tennis Kenya released a statement acknowledging that the decision to issue Abdelkader a wildcard was based on prior information regarding player withdrawals.
Tennis Kenya stated, “This wild card should not have been granted given the level. We acknowledge this experience and aim to ensure such occurrences are avoided in the future.”
Viral Footage
The match quickly went viral, drawing comparisons to past tennis performances that similarly shocked audiences. In 2019, Ukrainian player Artem Bahmet lost all 48 points in a Futures event. However, Abdelkader’s match was particularly notable as it occurred in a main draw, rather than a qualifier.
The Bigger Picture for Women’s Tennis
This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced even in professional tennis. The Women’s World Tennis Tour aims to develop the sport across regions with a less established tennis presence. While some players like Victoria Mboko and Janice Tjen have shown the potential for growth within the tour, Abdelkader’s match has certainly drawn attention to the discrepancies that can occur at different competitive levels.
This bewildering match will likely linger in discussions as an example of the unpredictability of sport. As Tennis Kenya seeks to improve future tournament selections, the focus remains on fostering talent and maintaining a competitive environment for all players involved.
