Billionaire Bill Ackman Loses Pro Tennis Debut Amid Criticism

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman faced widespread criticism from tennis legends and media after making his professional tennis debut at the 2025 Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island, where he and partner Jack Sock lost in straight sets to Bernard Tomic and Omar Jasika. Former champions Andy Roddick and Martina Navratilova denounced the match, with Roddick calling it "the biggest joke I’ve ever watched in professional tennis" and Navratilova criticizing Ackman for obtaining entry through a wildcard, implying it was bought rather than earned. Critics argued that Ackman’s participation, enabled by his financial influence and support of the Professional Tennis Players Association, undermined the integrity of the tournament, which is sanctioned by the ATP and WTA. Ackman acknowledged his poor performance and revealed he experienced severe stage fright, describing the match as a "very humbling experience" despite his extensive public speaking experience. Tournament director Randy Walker also condemned the match as the worst he had ever seen, emphasizing that Ackman’s wildcard entry was unmerited based on skill. Ackman stated the match might be a "one and done" event for him but expressed respect for professional tennis players who compete regularly under pressure.