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"Bull---t match": Why Tomic was playing 59-year-old
Christian Montegan • July 11th, 2025 11:12 am
No, this was not an exhibition.
The Newport Open, a Challenger event on grass, welcomed 59-year-old billionaire Bill Ackman, but not as a spectator.
Instead, he was handed a wildcard to compete in the doubles draw, partnering fellow American and former world No.8 Jack Sock.
The pair bundled out in the first-round against Australian duo Bernard Tomic and Omar Jasika 1-6, 5-7 in 67 minutes.
Recently, the US Open has received criticism for neglecting doubles specialists in favour of big-name singles players to feature in the new mixed doubles format.
But that doesn't eclipse the farcical scenes witnessed at Newport.
Former US Open winner Andy Roddick is involved in committee work at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, but he wasn't impressed by the tournament's decision to include Ackman in the main draw, describing it as a "bulls--t" match.
"This was the biggest joke I've watched in professional tennis," he said on his podcast, Served with Andy Roddick.
"This was beneath the Hall of Fame, and it's nothing personal against Bill Ackman; he can do what he wants. If his dream was to do it and someone is going to let him do it... I mean... it's not his fault. I don't blame him. Someone has to say yes to this."
He later added: "It was hard to watch. I came in here hot today. I was pissed."
And he wasn't the only one who was left bewildered.
"I guess when you're worth $9.5 Billion, tour players will treat you like a 'Make-A-Wish' child in your ATP Challenger match. Bill Ackman is an absolute joke. Shame on the @TennisHalloFame. Shame on the @atptour for allowing this man to buy a wild card. Where are we, Saudi Arabia?" one person on X wrote.
Another comment read: "These publicity (wildcards) should not happen. Give spots to players who earn it, not bought their way in."
In fairness, he did win a quality point at the net with a deft volley before serving multiple double faults.
Ackman is a hedge fund manager, who is the founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management — a large investment trust.
In February, rapper Stefan Gordy, known as Redfoo, made his professional tennis debut at 49 courtesy of a wildcard to compete in an M15 event in Egypt.
