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By Marni Rose McFall
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Billionaire Bill Ackman has been mocked online following his pro-tennis debut at the Hall of Fame Open doubles tournament in Newport, Rhode Island, with former tennis player Andy Roddick calling it the "biggest joke" he'd seen in the sport.
Newsweek has reached out to Ackman via email outside of regular working hours for comment.
Why It Matters
Ackman, 59, is a hedge fund manager who is the founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management. Forbes currently estimates his net worth at some $9.4 billion.
Read More on News
Ackman is known for his philanthropy and was a longtime donor to Democratic organizations and candidates but endorsed President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
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What To Know
Ackman played in a doubles game Wednesday with American pro tennis player Jack Sock against Australian pro players Bernard Tomic and Omar Jasika.
Ackman is a well-known fan of tennis and is the board chair for the Professional Tennis Players Association.
However, he appeared to make numerous mistakes and double faults. He and sock lost the match.
Roddick, the former professional tennis player who previously ranked as the world No. 1 in the men's singles, said on his podcast Served that the game was "the biggest joke I have ever watched in professional tennis."
He added that it was "hard to watch," and that it was "breaking my heart a little bit" that it had happened at the Hall of Fame.
Part of the criticism stemmed from Ackman, who was entered as a wild card, having potentially been allowed to take the place of a pro tennis player.
Roddick's podcast pointed to the match being an ATP Tour challenger, explaining that the event gives players an opportunity to improve and rise through the ranks.
What People Are Saying
Andy Roddick, former professional tennis player, speaking on his podcast Served: "It [the game] was a disaster.... This was beneath the Hall of Fame, in my opinion. It's nothing personal against Bill Ackman, he can do what he wants. If his dream was to do it and someone's gonna let him do it. I mean, it's not his fault, I don't blame him, right. Someone has to say yes to this.... It was rough."
Randy Walker, author and U.S. Open press officer, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "I just watched the absolute worst professional tennis match I have ever seen...."
@DylanDittrich, an author, wrote on X: "Jack Sock is an absolute monster in doubles. At one point in 2018, he was World No. 2. That wasn't enough to drag 59-year-old Bill Ackman across the finish line at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport, RI. But why on earth would it be?!"
@tennisweeklypod, a social media account for a tennis podcast, posted on X: "These publicity WCs [wild cards] should not happen. Give spots to players who earn it, not bought their way in."
What Happens Next
Whether Ackman will continue playing tennis or appear at another pro tennis game remains to be seen.
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