Billionaire Bill Ackman and organizers of a tennis tournament have been strongly criticized by former grand slam champions and social media after the hedge fund manager made his pro tennis debut, a match he ended up losing.

Billionaire hedge fund investor Bill Ackman was beaten in straight sets as he made his ATP Tour debut. The 59-year-old chief executive of Perishing Square Capital Management lost 6-1 7-5 in the Hall of Fame Open doubles tournament in Rhode Island alongside his partner Jack Sock – a three-time grand slam winner.