NEWPORT/STARNBERG, July 10, 2025
With an estimated net worth of $9.4 billion, Bill Ackman is not only one of the 500 richest individuals in the world but also a passionate tennis enthusiast. On Wednesday, the 59-year-old hedge fund manager found himself in the spotlight for an unusual reason: he made his professional tennis debut at the Hall of Fame Open ATP Challenger grass-court tournament in Newport, Rhode Island.
Ackman teamed up in doubles with former top 10 star Jack Sock, once ranked as high as World No. 8 in singles and World No. 2 in doubles on the ATP Tour. Sock retired from professional tennis in 2023 to pursue a career in pickleball, a sport rapidly gaining popularity in the United States.
Despite their high-profile pairing, Ackman and Sock were no match for their opponents, Australians Omar Jasika and Bernard Tomic. The first-round match lasted just over an hour, with the Australians cruising to a 6-1, 7-5 win.
@BillAckman Service Game, with Partner Jack Sock at @TennisHalloFame @atptour Challenger, Opening Round. Bill Ackman & Jack Sock vs Tomic and Jasika pic.twitter.com/2N4Mx9qHKI
— Harry Cicma (@HarryCicma) July 9, 2025
Video clips of the match quickly made the rounds online, drawing sharp criticism from tennis fans who were unimpressed by Ackman’s level of play. Many accused the tournament of granting the billionaire a wild card simply because of his wealth and status, calling it a case of blatant favoritism that undermined the integrity of the competition.
