Amateur player Jordan Smith became an Australian millionaire (US$670,000) after defeating Taiwanese pro Joanna Garland at Rod Laver Arena during Opening Week.
Smith first picked up a racquet when he was three. With father Neil, a former touring pro, as his coach he won two national junior singles titles and three national junior doubles titles between 2008 and 2012. While playing in junior tournaments, he competed against Cam Norrie and Alexander Zverev.
After captaining the Oakhill College First V tennis team that won the 2014 state title, Smith attended Gonzaga University in Washington on an athletic scholarship. He achieved a career-high ATP rank of 1,141 in 2023 before heading into coaching.
This year’s 1 Point Slam was captivating because 48 players and celebrities participated, including Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, Alexander Zverev and Naomi Osaka, along with wild cards such as comedian Andy Lee, “King of Mandopop” Jay Chou, TV presenter Karl Stefanovic, retired jockey Damien Oliver and Australian Rules footballer Bailey Smith.
The “Names” represented randomly selected local clubs that would profit by $50,000 should their player win.
The format granted players who’d never been ranked inside the ATP or WTA top 100 two serves per point, whereas all other players were limited to a single serve.
Who served for the point was determined by a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors, which was often as entertaining as the tennis.
On the serving front, Flavio Cobolli, Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff all faulted into the net.
There was one ace, from Petar Jovic to Jay Chou, while two players tried underarm serves. The underarm tactic didn’t work for World 123 Aliona Bolsova as she lost the point to men’s No. 71 Pedro Martinez.
In the next round, Martinez served underarm to Alexander Bublik who couldn’t reach the ball in time. Martinez joked he was getting Bublik back for all the underarm serves he’s played in his career.
Most of the top players were kind towards the amateurs, playing at half-power and not going for winners. Some pros such as Nick Kyrgios, McCartney Kessler and Daniil Medvedev couldn’t curb their competitive instincts and actively won points against the amateurs – ending their opportunity to win a million dollars.
Representing his family run Castle Hill Tennis Academy – now $50,000 richer – 29-year-old Smith was the New South Wales state champion in the 1 Point Slam qualifying rounds.
On the night of the 1 Point Slam, he got past Bailey Smith who missed his return; WTA 86 Laura Pigosa after a 20 point rally; World No. 2 Jannik Sinner whose serve was a fault; two-time Grand Slam finalist Amanda Anisimova who returned long; and Pedro Martínez who returned a second serve which began a 22 point rally – the longest in the event.
Before facing WTA No. 117 Garland in the prize money final, Smith played in another final. His opponent Alec Reverente, the Queensland state qualifying champion, was the second best-performing amateur in the 1 Point Slam – losing in the third round to McCartney Kessler. The prize in this 1 Point match was a Kia EV3 GT-Line in Matcha Green.
Reverente was gifted the point and the car through Smith’s unforced error. The keys to the fully electric vehicle, worth AU$62,850, were presented to a delighted Reverente.
Smith then returned to the court to face Garland for the main prize. Garland’s serve landed in but she couldn’t control the return and hit out wide.
Smith admitted, “I’m just happy I won a point. I was so nervous.”
“It’s just unbelievable…,” he added. “I don’t know what I will do – invest or buy a house.” Then, thinking of Sydney’s real estate prices, he downsized his potential purchase to “a half-house or apartment”.
There were also victory bonuses for Smith as he was invited to stay longer at Melbourne Park. The next day he was introduced to Roger Federer, and during the tournament could be seen court side at Rod Laver Arena watching some incredible matches from the VIP seats.
And the great news was that after much speculation on whether Smith would lose $400,000 of his prize to the taxman, it was settled that his prize was similar to a lottery win, so he could keep every cent.
Title photo of Jannik Sinner and Jordan Smith embracing after their point by Tennis Australia