A recent appearance by an Egyptian tennis player at the ITF W35 tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, has ignited a firestorm of criticism online. The player’s performance has been widely described as disastrous, prompting questions about how she secured a wildcard entry into the professional competition.
The ITF W35 Nairobi tournament, an annual event organized by the International Tennis Federation, draws professional players from across the globe, including those ranked within the world’s top 500. This year’s tournament featured two established Egyptian professionals, Lamis Elhussein Abdel Aziz (ranked 399th globally) and Sandra Samir (ranked 467th), both considered top contenders.
However, the participation of a third Egyptian player, Hagar Abdel Kader, has become the center of controversy. Abdel Kader suffered a crushing defeat against Germany’s Lorena Schaedel, ranked 1026th, losing 6-0, 6-0. The lopsided scoreline triggered a wave of mocking comments and disbelief.
A video clip of the match quickly went viral, showcasing Abdel Kader’s apparent lack of experience. Her performance suggested a complete unfamiliarity with the fundamentals of tennis, leaving viewers stunned. She committed a staggering 20 double faults out of 24 serves, achieving a meager 8% success rate. Furthermore, she won only three points, none of which were attributed to her own skill but rather to errors by her German opponent.
The story of the Egyptian player’s participation has since spread to international media outlets, with some describing it as one of the worst performances ever witnessed in the sport. One commentator even labeled her the “worst tennis player in the world,” a harsh assessment reflecting the shock and disappointment generated by her showing.
Social media users have expressed their outrage and confusion. Many are questioning the criteria used to grant Abdel Kader a wildcard entry into the tournament, given her apparent lack of ranking or documented achievements. One user wrote, “What was the basis for granting her an invitation? She has no record, no ranking, no technical or official standing in Egypt. How is she granted entry into an international tournament?”
While some have attempted to temper the criticism, the overwhelming sentiment online remains one of astonishment and concern regarding the integrity of the selection process for professional tennis tournaments. The incident has raised serious questions about the standards and qualifications required for participation in international events.
