Amateur Jordan Smith Beats Tennis Stars To Win A$1m In The Australian Open's One Point Slam
Amateur Jordan Smith walked into the Australian Open’s One Point Slam hoping to win a single rally. He left Rod Laver Arena with A$1m (£496,835), a new level of fame and wins over some of the biggest names in tennis.
The 29-year-old from New South Wales produced the shock story of the night in the sudden-death event, where every match was decided by just one point. Smith didn’t even need to return a ball to beat men’s world number two Jannik Sinner, who missed his only serve. He later knocked out women’s world number four Amanda Anisimova and Spain’s Pedro Martinez on his way to the final.
“I was just happy to win one point,” Smith said. “I was nervous, but I enjoyed being out here. Was a great experience.”
In the final, Smith faced British-born Taiwanese player Joanna Garland, ranked 117 in the world, who had already enjoyed a remarkable run of her own. Garland beat Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios and Maria Sakkari, as well as Donna Vekic, before falling just short at the last hurdle.
The night was packed with upsets as amateurs repeatedly outshone elite professionals. Queensland state champion Alec Reverente defeated world number seven Felix Auger-Aliassime and later beat Smith in a separate playoff to win a brand new car.
Top players were caught out by the unforgiving format, which allowed amateurs two serves but limited professionals to one, with “rock, paper, scissors” deciding who served. Carlos Alcaraz lost after netting a drop shot, Daniil Medvedev was beaten by Anisimova, and Iga Swiatek saw off two male players before being eliminated herself.
Despite the defeats, many of the stars stayed courtside to watch the dramatic finale unfold. The atmosphere stayed light-hearted throughout, even when Kyrgios smashed his racket after losing, drawing laughs rather than boos.
The event, held four days before the Australian Open begins, featured 48 competitors, including 24 top professionals, amateurs who qualified through state championships and Melbourne qualifiers, plus celebrity wildcards such as Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou.
Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley said: “This event is the ultimate grassroots-to-Grand Slam experience. The AO One Point Slam is tennis at its most exciting – one point, one shot at glory. Fast, unfiltered and open to everyone.”
The Australian Open gets underway on Sunday, with Sinner returning to defend the men’s title.
