2025 Newport Open: A Controversial Match
In an unusual turn at the 2025 Newport Open, Bill Ackman, a 59-year-old billionaire and amateur tennis player, took to the court with professional player Jack Sock after Nick Kyrgios had to withdraw due to injury. Ackman had previously been preparing to compete alongside Kyrgios, who has faced setbacks in his recovery and has now exited the entire grass-court season, leaving his future return uncertain.
Match Overview
The pair faced off against Bernard Tomic and Omar Jasika in the tournament’s first round, attracting significant attention, albeit for all the wrong reasons. Despite being far from professional standard, Ackman and Sock put up a fight, ultimately losing 1-6, 5-7. Observers noted that Tomic and Jasika appeared to hold back considerably throughout the match, raising eyebrows about the integrity of the competition.
Andy Roddick’s Critique
Andy Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion, was quick to voice his disappointment in this match during a podcast episode, accusing the players involved of not taking the match seriously and suggesting that the Hall of Fame, where the event took place, was deserving of better. He criticized the decision to grant a wildcard entry to Ackman, stating, “You don’t give a wildcard to someone who 59 players at my club are better than.”
Roddick, who values his connections within the Hall of Fame, expressed his frustration that the event strayed from its mission of celebrating tennis excellence. He highlighted specific moments during the match, such as Tomic’s underwhelming serve speeds, and called for a review of the match. Emphasizing the lack of genuine effort from the players involved, he asserted that only one competitor appeared to be giving their all during the encounter.
Reflections on the Event
Moreover, Roddick lamented the choices made by the Hall of Fame, expressing that it was disheartening for the institution and dismissing any blame on Ackman for pursuing his tennis aspirations. “It was rough… it’s the Hall of Fame. That’s what’s breaking my heart a little bit… it sucks,” he stated, highlighting the profound disappointment in how the event was conducted.
As discussions surrounding the match continue, Roddick urges fans to revisit the footage to form their own opinions on the performance of the players.
