Bill Ackman, a 59-year-old billionaire hedge fund manager and funder of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), made his professional tennis debut at the ATP Hall of Fame Open in Newport, partnering with former pro Jack Sock in a doubles match. The pair lost 6-1, 7-5, and Ackman failed to earn official ATP ranking points, falling short of becoming the oldest player to do so. Ackman's participation sparked widespread criticism from the tennis community and fans, with former world No. 1 Andy Roddick calling the event "the biggest joke" he had ever seen in professional tennis and describing the match as a disaster unfit for a Hall of Fame court. Other tennis legends, including Martina Navratilova, also expressed disapproval. The tournament director labeled the match "the absolute worst" he had ever witnessed. Critics argued that Ackman, who reportedly bought his way into the tournament via a wildcard entry, disrupted the professional nature of the event. Despite the backlash, some noted that tennis greats such as Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, and Serena Williams also lost their ATP debuts in straight sets, placing Ackman's performance in a broader context.