Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman made his professional tennis debut at the Hall of Fame Open, losing in men's doubles with Jack Sock. The appearance, which Ackman called a 'dream come true' but also experienced 'stage fright,' drew strong criticism from former grand slam champions like Andy Roddick and Martina Navratilova, and journalists, who called it a 'joke' and 'wildly inappropriate' for a sanctioned event.
‘Biggest joke I’ve ever watched in professional tennis’: Swift backlash after billionaire Bill Ackman’s pro debut
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman made his professional tennis debut at the Hall of Fame Open, losing in men's doubles with Jack Sock. The appearance, which Ackman called a 'dream come true' but also experienced 'stage fright,' drew strong criticism from former grand slam champions like Andy Roddick and Martina Navratilova, and journalists, who called it a 'joke' and 'wildly inappropriate' for a sanctioned event.
Trending- 1 Wednesday (July 9, 2025): Bill Ackman makes his professional tennis debut at the Hall of Fame Open.
- 2 After the match: Ackman describes his experience, including stage fright; criticism from tennis figures and journalists begins to emerge.
- 3 July 11, 2025: News reports detail the swift backlash and controversy surrounding Ackman's appearance.
- Widespread criticism from the tennis community (former pros, journalists, fans)
- Questions raised about the integrity and rules surrounding wild card entries in professional tournaments
- Bill Ackman's personal experience of 'stage fright' on a professional stage
What: Billionaire Bill Ackman made his professional tennis debut, losing a men's doubles match, which sparked widespread criticism from the tennis community.
When: Wednesday (July 9, 2025).
Where: Hall of Fame Open, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.
Why: Ackman, a prominent tennis fan and supporter, was invited to play by Jack Sock, who received a wild card entry. Critics argue that his participation, given his skill level, undermined the integrity of a professional, sanctioned event.
How: Ackman played with Jack Sock in a men's doubles match against Omar Jasika and Bernard Tomic, losing in straight sets (6-1, 7-5). The ATP confirmed that no compensation was exchanged for the wild card.