Martina Navratilova and Andy Roddick ridiculed Bill Ackman's foray into professional tennis after the billionaire lost in straight sets at the Hall of Fame Open.
What happened?
The 59-year-old hedge fund titan teamed up with Jack Sock at the 2025 Hall of Fame Open in Newport, RI, but was quickly dispatched by Bernard Tomic and Omar Jasika.
Navratilova, who won 59 Grand Slam titles, posted on social media: "Apparently you can buy yourself a wild card. Oh to have the confidence…"
Why it matters for Martina Navratilova
The tennis legend's criticism highlights the controversy surrounding Ackman's inclusion in the tournament, with many arguing it undermines the purpose of the wildcard system.
Ackman's match was described as "the biggest joke I've ever watched in professional tennis" by Roddick, and "the absolute worst tennis match I have ever seen" by Randy Walker, tournament director of the Mardy Fish Children's Foundation Tennis Championships.
What comes next?
The backlash over Ackman's appearance extended beyond former players, with veteran tennis journalist Jon Wertheim calling it "wildly inappropriate and lacking in integrity".
Ackman attributed his poor performance to a sudden bout of "stage fright", saying his wrist, arm, and body "literally froze" during the match.
The billionaire's rep told The Post: "We don't have anything more to add right now".
As of July 10, 2025, Ackman's foray into professional tennis has been widely criticized, with many describing it as a "mockery" and a "publicity stunt".
Glenn Greenwald, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, slammed Ackman on social media, writing that he "used his vast wealth to worm his way into a professional, ATP-sanctioned tennis tournament".