In a stunning and light-hearted moment at the Rod Laver Arena, Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios playfully smashed his racket on the court following a surprise defeat. The incident occurred during the high-stakes, single-point format of the Australian Open's innovative One Point Slam on Wednesday night.
The Million-Dollar Upset
The night ultimately belonged to 29-year-old Sydneysider Jamie Smith, an amateur who clinched a life-changing $1 million cash prize. Smith achieved this remarkable feat by defeating both world No. 117 Joanna Garland and the defending Australian Open champion, world No. 2 Jannik Sinner. His victory crowned him the champion of the all-or-nothing tournament, which was being staged for only the second time.
"I can't even speak," an overwhelmed Smith said after his win, with his family watching from the stands. When asked about his plans for the winnings, the humble champion stated he would likely "invest or buy a house definitely with my girlfriend."
Kyrgios's Dramatic Exit
The event's most memorable reaction, however, came from Nick Kyrgios. The 2022 Australian Open doubles champion had recently turned down a wildcard for the men's singles but took part in this unique exhibition. After besting Steve Yarwood and Andrey Rublev, Kyrgios faced rising WTA star Joanna Garland in the third round.
Garland, born in England but representing Taiwan, served to Kyrgios. The Australian overcooked his return, sending the ball long to concede the point. A delighted Garland advanced, while Kyrgios sank to his haunches with a smile. Moments later, cameras caught him jokingly hammering his racket into the Rod Laver court, playing up to the 15,000-strong crowd. He then appeared to hand the damaged racket to a young fan.
"Biggest win of my life, right?" Garland remarked after the match. Stadium announcers cheekily noted her recent victory at the Workday Canberra International, adding, "if that makes you feel any better Nick." Fellow pros Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, and Alexander Bublik were seen laughing at Kyrgios's antics on the sidelines.
Format Creates High Drama
The One Point Slam, Tennis Australia's newest innovation, featured a star-studded line-up including world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek, and Naomi Osaka. The format was brutally simple: each match consisted of a single point. Amateur players were granted two serves, while professionals received only one, levelling the playing field spectacularly.
The unpredictable nature of the contest was evident early on. French world No. 34 Corentin Moutet was the first professional eliminated. As the tournament progressed, major stars fell: Maria Sakkari defeated Carlos Alcaraz, and Amanda Anisimova ousted Daniil Medvedev. Iga Swiatek also claimed a notable 'Battle of the Sexes' win over Flavio Cobolli.
Garland, the eventual runner-up, enjoyed a fantastic run, beating Alexander Zverev, Maria Sakkari, and Donna Vekic before meeting Smith in the final. Smith's path to glory included that crucial win over Jannik Sinner, who confessed to nerves after dumping a serve into the net. "You cannot imagine my heartbeat right now. It's around 200," Sinner said after an earlier match.
The event's prize pool skyrocketed from $60,000 in 2025 to a staggering $1 million this year, attracting a far stronger field. The action, driven by intense pressure and instant drama, provided a thrilling prelude to the Australian Open, proving that in tennis, sometimes all it takes is one point to create a millionaire—and a hilarious moment of mock frustration from a superstar.
