Tennis Hall of Shame? Hall of Fame Embarrasses Itself, Rejects $10 Million Gift After Wild-Card Debacle
The International Tennis Hall of Fame just served up one of the most cringe-worthy moments in professional tennis—and it’s not just because of a billionaire’s weak backhand.
The Hall made waves last week by handing hedge fund titan Bill Ackman, 59, a wild-card entry into the ATP Challenger event it hosts in Newport, Rhode Island. Ackman, a passionate tennis fan but very much not a professional athlete, paired up with former top-10 player Jack Sock in doubles—and got predictably steamrolled, 6-1, 7-5, by Bernard Tomic and Omar Jasika.
The whole thing felt more charity match than pro tournament. Tomic and Jasika visibly eased up, and the sight of a billionaire fumbling around in a pro-level event left fans and pros alike stunned. Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick shredded the decision, calling it “pathetic,” “a total miss,” and “the biggest joke I’ve watched in professional tennis.”