Tennis federation admits mistake after player wins | Sports News

Tennis authorities have launched a assertion following ITF W35 Nairobi wildcard Hajar Abdelkader’s dismal efficiency, the place she solely scored three factors in a 6-0, 6-0 defeat that lasted simply 37 minutes. The unranked Egyptian player dedicated 20 double faults during her first-round match in opposition to Lorena Schaedel, with two of her three factors coming from the German opponent’s own double faults.

Abdelkader recorded a first serve proportion of simply 8.3 p.c. Video clips of the match unfold like wildfire on social media, main many to query whether or not the 21-year-old had any prior tennis expertise. It comes as Stefanos Tsitsipas brought on a main upset after an damage replace.

The Nairobi incident prompted Tennis Kenya, the occasion’s host, to confess that Abdelkader shouldn’t have been permitted to compete in opposition to world No. 1,026 Schaedel. Their assertion learn: “Tennis Kenya is aware of concerns regarding the participation of Egyptian player Hajar Abdelkader in the ITF W35 Nairobi tournament following the circulation of a video on social media that raised questions about her level of play.

“Ms. Abdelkader was granted a wildcard for Week Two of the occasion after submitting a formal request and she or he flew in on Tuesday morning. The slot grew to become accessible following a short-notice withdrawal by the initially awarded Main Draw wildcard recipient, who opted into the Qualifying draw.

“At the time, Ms. Abdelkader was the only other player who had requested a wildcard, and the decision was taken on the information provided and in the interest of maintaining a full and balanced draw while supporting the development of tennis in Africa.

“In hindsight, Tennis Kenya acknowledges that this wildcard shouldn’t have been granted. The federation has taken observe of this expertise and can be certain that such an extraordinarily uncommon incidence by no means occur again. Tennis Kenya stays dedicated to equity, transparency and the integrity of competitors, in addition to to the continued development of tennis in Kenya, East Africa, and throughout Africa.”

They further stated: “In awarding wildcards, Tennis Kenya considers components corresponding to player development priorities, aggressive steadiness of the draw and data supplied by candidates with emphasis on Kenyan, East African and African gamers.

“In this instance, Ms. Abdelkader indicated that she had an appropriate level of competitive playing experience, and the wildcard was issued based on the information provided.

“This is a younger particular person and given the extent and nature of protection of this match, Tennis Kenya and the ITF recognise the need to keep the wellbeing of each gamers as a main consideration. Both organisations have reached out to the 2 gamers to offer help.”

The Egyptian Tennis Federation informed the BBC that Abdelkader has no records and is not registered as an Egyptian player. They further clarified that she did not represent Egypt in the tournament. Dia Nabil Loutfy, the ETF’s technical director, stated: “We wish to make clear that she will not be registered with the Egyptian Tennis Federation, neither is she included in any of our official player lists.

“Based on the information available to us, the player was previously residing in Kenya and participated in the ITF tournament in Nairobi through a wildcard granted by the Kenyan Tennis Federation.

“The Egyptian Tennis Federation had no function in any way, whether or not immediately or not directly, within the nomination, approval, or issuance of this wildcard, and we weren’t concerned within the player’s entry into the event in any capability.”