Australian Open 2026: Expert reveals whether Jordan Smith will get to keep entire $1 million prize

A leading tax expert has told Yahoo Sport Australia that Jordan Smith will get to keep his entire $1 million prize for winning the one-point slam at the Australian Open on Wednesday night. The amateur tennis player from Castle Hill in Sydney won the unique event that saw some of the game's top players pitted against non-professionals and celebrities in matches that only consisted of one point each.

Amateurs were given the standard two serves, but the pros only received one. The server was decided by rock-paper-scissors, and the winner of the point remained in the draw while the loser was eliminated.

Smith, who runs the Castle Hill Tennis Academy with his family, qualified for the event by winning the NSW State Championships. On Wednesday night he beat professional players Laura Pigossi (World No.86), Jannik Sinner (No.2), Amanda Anisimova (No.4), Pedro Martinez (No.71) and Joanna Garland (No.117) to scoop the $1 million prize.

Questions have immediately turned to whether Smith gets to keep the entire prize or if he'll be hit with a hefty tax bill. On social media, a number of fans have suggested that Smith would lose about $400,000 through tax.

Jordan Smith won't pay tax on $1 million prize

But Belinda Raso, the director of Tax Invest Accounting, has told Yahoo that's not the case. Under Australian taxation law, a one-off windfall like a lottery or prize win from a game show is not subject to tax.

"As it's a prize it will be tax free," Raso said. "This is treated the same as a lotto win."

However Raso pointed out that Smith will be taxed on any earnings he receives from using the $1 million elsewhere. "What he does with the winnings will attract income tax, for example if he invests it or earns interest from the bank," she said.

A one-off prize is generally not included in a person's assessable income, unless it has a sufficient connection to their employment, business, or income-earning activities. Smith still works in the field of tennis with his academy, but Raso said that "won't make any difference" when it comes to whether he'll be taxed on the $1 million.

One-point slam winner might have to pay tax down the track

Speaking on-court after winning, Smith said he'll likely buy a house or invest the money. He'd therefore be subject to tax on anything he earns from the investment.

As part of the one-point challenge, Smith also won a $50,000 grant for his academy. But it was fellow amateur Alec Reverente from Queensland who won the Kia car on offer. Smith and Reverente had a one-point match because they were last two amateurs in the challenge, and it was Reverente who won the car.

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