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The Irish Sun

Billionaire hedge fund manager, 59, set for shock debut in ATP Challenger event and will partner Wimbledon champ

HEDGE FUND billionaire Bill Ackman is set to make his ATP debut alongside two-time Wimbledon doubles champ Jack Sock - at the age of 59. The pair will take to the court tomorrow at an ATP Challenger event - the Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island. Advertisement 4 Ackman is poised to make a startling late debut in professional tennis Credit: Getty 4 Jack Sock (right) secured doubles titles at Wimbledon in 2014 and 2018 Credit: AFP Ackman has a net worth of £6.75billion through his role as founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management. The New York native has previously shared the court non-competitively with names such as Ackman will be joined by Jack Sock, a former tennis pro who peaked at No8 in the singles rankings, and won three Grand Slam doubles titles, including two at Wimbledon. Ackman said via X: "I am playing the best tennis of my life and Jack is one of the greatest doubles players ever. Advertisement READ MORE ON TENNIS "If we win, I am pretty sure I will be the oldest person in tennis history at 59 to win ATP points." Ackman is just wide of the mark with that claim thanks to Gardnar Mulloy, who held an ATP doubles ranking at the age of 64. Ackman was initially set to partner tennis maverick Sock had officially stepped back from tennis to focus on pickleball, but stepped in to partner Ackman - despite only first meeting him last week. Advertisement Most read in Sport Comment 4 Sock's last ATP event came at the US Open in August of 2023 Credit: AFP 4 Sock boasts three doubles Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold in mixed doubles from Rio 2016 Credit: Getty Images - Getty JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS It was Sock's request for a wildcard place for the duo that allowed them to participate in the tournament, where they will be sponsored by Nike. Advertisement Wimbledon star's dad breaks down in tears live on BBC after seeing 'emotional' son beat former finalist Sock previously won the doubles event at the Hall of Fame Open in 2021 alongside partner William Blumberg. They will play Australian duo Omar Jasika and Bernard Tomic in the round of 16, with the latter previously having reached a career high single ranking of No17. A victory over the Aussies would win both players 25 ATP ranking points alongside a cash prize of almost £1,500 - which Ackman says would go to Sock. Oldest players to earn ATP doubles rankings points The five oldest players to earn ATP Doubles rankings points according to World Tennis Magazine, and where Ackman would fit should they win tomorrow. Gardnar Mulloy - 64 in 1978 *Bill Ackman - 60 in 2025 Lars Elvstrom - 59 in 2009 Guillermo Oropez - 57 in 2004 Antonio Zugarelli - 55 in 2005 Pancho Segura - 54 in 1976 *Should Ackman, 59, win, his ranking points would not run off until he was 60, meaning he would still have earned an ATP Doubles ranking at 60.