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“The Worst in Tennis History?” Egyptian Player Hagar Abdelkader’s Controversial Loss at the Nairobi Open
Hagar Abdelkader, an Egyptian tennis player, has become the center of controversy after her loss at the Nairobi Open, part of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) women’s circuit.
The event, which was expected to be her debut in a professional tournament, has sparked widespread debate due to the unexpected performance.
A Loss at the Nairobi Open
In the first round of the Nairobi Open, Hagar Abdelkader faced German player Lorina Schiedel. The match ended in a swift 6-0, 6-0 defeat, with Hagar losing in just 37 minutes.
In addition, she only managed to score three points during the entire match, and all of these came from errors made by her opponent. Abdelkader’s performance was marred by an astounding 20 double faults, leaving fans and commentators shocked by the scale of her loss.
The Viral Video
A video of Hagar’s match quickly went viral, sparking a massive reaction across social media platforms. Many viewers were left in disbelief, questioning how such a defeat could happen on such a public stage.
Some saw the match as one of the worst performances in tennis history including The Daily Mail, with many commenting on her struggles with basic aspects of the game, including her serve and overall court positioning.
The Wildcard Controversy
This loss was particularly notable because it marked Hagar Abdelkader’s first professional tournament appearance. According to reports, she entered the Nairobi Open with a wildcard entry.
This opportunity came about after a Kenyan player withdrew from the competition shortly before it began. The wildcard was granted by the Kenyan Tennis Federation, which raised some questions about the nature of her participation.
Clarification
In the wake of the controversy, the Egyptian Tennis Federation (ETF) stepped in to clarify Hagar Abdelkader’s position. According to Cairo 24, the ETF explained that Hagar is not officially registered with their organization, and they have no formal involvement in her entry into the Nairobi Open.
The Federation also stated that Hagar currently resides in Kenya and participated in the tournament through a special invitation from the Kenyan Tennis Federation.
This clarification added another layer to the ongoing conversation, as some were under the impression that Hagar was representing Egypt on an official level.
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