With the Australian Open Fan Week well and truly underway, its flagship event, the highly innovative and revamped “1 Point Slam”, has come to a conclusion, and amateur tennis player Jordan Smith has emerged victorious, claiming both bragging rights over the professional players and an eye-catching AUD $1 million prize.
How Did the Event Play Out?
The event, which featured a host of Major champions, quickly became the most hyped attraction of Tennis Australia’s “Week Zero.” As a result, organizers expanded the field from an originally planned 32 players to 64 due to overwhelming interest.
The drama began immediately, as Corentin Moutet fell to a qualifier on the very first point of the tournament. Moreover, the rules placed immense pressure on the professionals, causing several big names to tighten up under the spotlight. Coco Gauff, Frances Tiafoe, and two-time defending Australian Open men’s singles champion Jannik Sinner all exited the event after committing double faults on their decisive points.
Upsets continued throughout the competition. Soon after, Carlos Alcaraz crashed out on his very first point after missing a drop shot against fellow professional Maria Sakkari. By the time the dust settled, the final eight featured six professional players ranked inside the top 75 across both tours. Alongside them stood two outsiders: amatuer Jordan Smith, and Joanna Garland, a Top 150 player on the WTA Tour.
Unsurprisingly, the tournament delivered another twist. The final ultimately featured those two outsiders. Jordan Smith reached the championship point after defeating Jannik Sinner, Amanda Anisimova, and Pedro Martinez, among others. Meanwhile, Joanna Garland eliminated a string of top professionals as well, most notably Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, and Maria Sakkari.
Ultimately, the 29-year-old amateur delivered the final blow, sealing the victory after hitting a brilliant return. A tennis coach by profession, Jordan Smith once played junior tennis alongside the likes of Cameron Norrie and Alexander Zverev — and now, on one of tennis’s most surreal stages, he has produced the defining moment of his sporting journey.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
