It was a very humiliating experience," billionaire Ackman reflects on criticism over his Newport participation

Following widespread criticism from the tennis world, billionaire Bill Ackman took to his X account to share his thoughts. The 59-year-old businessman, who partnered with Sock in doubles, had received a wild card to compete in the Newport tournament. They faced the pair Tomic-Jasika and lost (6-1, 7-5).

"The press coverage of my professional debut was brutal. Admittedly, it wasn’t my best performance, but people criticized as if the match was one-sided without even knowing the rules of doubles in Challenger events. Most matches don’t last very long.

However, I had my first real experience with stage fright. I can speak in front of an audience of a thousand people on a wide range of topics without any preparation and without a hint of nerves, but yesterday I found myself on a tennis court in a professional tournament broadcast live with a few hundred people in the crowd.

Throughout the match, my wrist, arm, and body literally froze. I struggled to breathe, and it wasn’t a fitness issue. It improved slightly as the match progressed, but I never fully overcame it.

It was a very humiliating experience, which gives even more respect to the pros who play for a living in front of cameras and crowds. We forget that they also have to manage the challenges of their highly scrutinized personal lives, their breakups, their emotions, their financial anxieties, their mental health, and other struggles.