An Egyptian tennis player whose disastrous professional debut was branded the worst in the sport's history is now suspected of cheating her way into the tournament. Ms Schaedel was even forced to tell Ms Abdelkader where to stand on the baseline in order to serve. The Egyptian wild card entrant served 20 double faults during the match and landed just eight per cent of her serves. Nancy Nduku, the secretary general of Tennis Kenya, later acknowledged the error, saying: 'Tennis Kenya acknowledges that this wild card should not have been granted. The Egyptian Tennis Federation confirmed Ms Abdelkader is an Egyptian national who lives in Kenya and has not competed in her home country.

Source: Daily Mail January 13, 2026 14:50 UTC