In a stunning upset that captivated the tennis world, Australian amateur Jordan Smith has defeated a host of professional stars, including world number two Jannik Sinner, to claim a life-changing A$1 million prize at the innovative One Point Slam.
The Brick Wall Strategy That Toppled Champions
The unique tournament, held at Melbourne's Kia Arena ahead of the 2026 Australian Open, pits amateurs against professionals in a nerve-shredding format where entire matches are decided by a single point. Smith, the New South Wales state champion, adopted a remarkably simple yet effective tactic. His plan was to "basically be a brick wall," he explained, focusing on consistency and forcing errors from his more illustrious opponents.
This approach paid immediate dividends against the defending Australian Open champion, Jannik Sinner. The Italian superstar faulted on his only serve of the contest, handing a shell-shocked Smith a monumental victory. Smith's fairytale run didn't stop there. He went on to defeat established professionals Amanda Anisimova and Pedro Martinez, sending the local crowd into a frenzy with each triumph.
A Tense Final Decided by a Single Rally
Smith's opponent in the final was Taiwan's Joanna Garland, ranked 117 in the world, who herself had enjoyed a spectacular run. Garland had upset former Grand Slam finalist Alexander Zverev and the mercurial Nick Kyrgios to reach the championship point.
The final's server was determined by a game of rock, paper, scissors, which Garland won, opting to take the serve. In a tense, brief exchange, Smith returned her serve with a backhand, and when Garland's own backhand reply drifted wide, the Australian amateur was crowned the unlikely million-dollar champion.
"I can't even speak, that's unbelievable," an emotional Smith said afterwards. He revealed plans to invest the money or buy a house with his girlfriend, stating he was simply happy to have won a single point coming into the event.
Wider Rewards From a Dream Run
The rewards of Smith's incredible victory extended beyond his personal bank balance. His home club, the Castle Hill Tennis Academy in Sydney, was awarded $50,000 by Tennis Australia to upgrade its facilities and equipment, a bonus presented by Chief Tennis Officer Tom Larner.
In a further twist, Smith had actually lost the final of the separate amateur qualifying event, with Queenslander Alec Reverente winning that match to secure a new Kia car. Smith's story, however, will be remembered as the ultimate underdog triumph, proving that on one point, anything is possible in sport.
