The tennis world is reeling from a dramatic shake-up as the 2025 Canadian Open, set to unfold from July 27 to August 7 at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto, faces a significant blow with the withdrawal of top stars Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Jack Draper. Amid this upheaval, billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, with a net worth of $9.5 billion, has stirred the pot further by taking a cheeky swipe at the controversy surrounding his wildcard entry into the 2025 Hall of Fame Open, a Challenger-level tournament in Newport, Rhode Island. His sarcastic comment, “I too have decided it is advisable to skip the Toronto Open this year,” posted on X, has reignited debates about privilege, access, and the integrity of professional tennis.
The Canadian Open, a prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event, was poised to showcase a stellar lineup, but the absence of its biggest names has left organizers and fans grappling with disappointment. Djokovic, a four-time champion, cited a lingering groin injury sustained during his Wimbledon semifinal loss to Sinner, where he was defeated 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. “Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic have been forced to withdraw from the 2025 National Bank Open in Toronto as they recover following Wimbledon,” the tournament announced, underscoring the physical toll of the grueling grass-court season. Alcaraz, the World No. 2 and two-time defending Wimbledon champion, opted out to prioritize rest after a taxing 4-hour, 34-minute final against Sinner, which he lost 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4). Spanish tennis great Alex Corretja supported Alcaraz’s decision, noting, “All of this is very tiring. I think Carlos Alcaraz needs a bit of rest right now, so that in the second half of the season, he doesn’t really end up feeling so weak.” Sinner, the reigning champion, and Draper, nursing an arm injury, also withdrew, citing the need to prepare for the upcoming Cincinnati Open and US Open.
As fans lamented the starless Toronto field—“Toronto went bigger but lost its biggest stars. Fatigue, injuries, strategy. The schedule’s a grind,” ESPN’s Pamela Maldonado remarked on X—Ackman’s provocative comment shifted attention to his own controversial foray into professional tennis. At 59, Ackman, a passionate tennis enthusiast and key backer of the Novak Djokovic-led Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), secured a wildcard to play doubles alongside retired pro Jack Sock at the Hall of Fame Open. The decision sparked outrage, with critics arguing that Ackman’s wealth and influence—bolstered by his $10 million donation offer to the International Tennis Hall of Fame—bought him a spot that should have gone to a deserving professional. “Apparently you can buy yourself a wild card. Oh to have the confidence…,” tennis legend Martina Navratilova quipped on X, echoing sentiments from former World No. 1 Andy Roddick, who called the match “the biggest joke I’ve watched in professional tennis” on his podcast, *Served with Andy Roddick*. Fans were equally scathing, with one writing, “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.”
Ackman and Sock’s first-round loss to Australians Omar Jasika and Bernard Tomic, 6-1, 7-5, in just over an hour, did little to quell the criticism. Clips circulating online highlighted Ackman’s struggles, with one fan noting, “Bill Ackman somehow bought his way into a professional tennis tournament today. It went about as well as you could expect.” Ackman, however, defended his participation, claiming it was a publicity win for the Hall of Fame, describing it as “one of the greatest public relations achievements in tennis history.” He admitted to battling stage fright, writing, “My wrist, arm, and body literally froze… I had difficulty breathing, and it was not a fitness issue.” His $10 million endowment offer was rejected by the Hall to avoid “any perception of impropriety,” a move that further fueled the controversy.
The PTPA, which Ackman chairs and which filed a lawsuit against the ATP, WTA, and ITF for allegedly suppressing player opportunities, faced scrutiny for its association with him. Journalist Jon Wertheim pointed out the irony, noting, “This guy—who took a legit player’s draw spot—is helping bankroll the PTPA, which seeks more ‘earning opportunities’ for players.” Despite the backlash, Ackman redirected his donation to the Junior Tennis Champions Center, home to talents like Frances Tiafoe, who once praised Ackman’s early financial support: “He gave me a chance to play around the world and not worry about any finances at all.” As the tennis world shifts focus to the US Open, Ackman’s sly dig and the Canadian Open withdrawals highlight the sport’s ongoing tension between accessibility, merit, and the influence of wealth.
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