Amateur tennis player wins a million dollars for playing six points at Australian Open

An amateur tennis player from Sydney has bagged an eyewatering prize cheque for playing, and winning, just six points on Rod Laver Arena. Jordan Smith came through state qualifying in New South Wales to earn a spot at the One Point Slam, a unique tournament being staged in the Australian Open's opening week, and was crowned the champion.

The One Point Slam pits professionals against amateurs, with each match lasting just one point and the winner bagging £500k (A$1m). To level the playing field, the professionals get just one serve, while the amateurs have two - and it proved crucal for Smith.

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The 29-year-old handed two-time defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner his first 'loss' at Melbourne Park since 2023. They met in the third round, where Sinner dumped the ball into the net while serving against the amateur.

Smith had already beaten Aussie rules star Bailey Smith - no relation - in the first round. Then, he knocked out WTA No. 200 Laura Pigossi before beating Sinner. He kept it going, beating professionals Amanda Anisimova and Pedro Martinez, before facing WTA No. 117 Joanna Garland in a fairytale final.

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Garland herself caused some big upsets, beating Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Maria Sakkari, and Donna Vekic. Before their one-point showdown in the final, Smith shared his hopes of buying a house if he won the prize money.

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“Definitely try and buy a house, the Sydney prices are expensive! Maybe half a house? Who knows, an apartment? We'll see how it goes,” he smiled.

Smith also played for a brand new Kia car, facing Alec Reverente in a battle of the two best-performing state champions of the night. Reverente had beaten world No. 7 Felix Auger-Aliassime before losing in the quarter-finals, and he defeated Smith to win the motor.

But Smith bagged the biggest prize of the night as he came up against Garland, who chose to serve after a game of rock, paper, scissors - no coin toss here!

They got into a rally, and Garland ultimately sent the ball outside of the lines, handing Smith the victory - and a million Aussie dollars. The amateur lifted his arms into the air and put them behind his head, staring at the Rod Laver Arena roof in disbelief.

“I’m kind of speechless,” the 29-year-old beamed. “I’ll definitely buy a house.” Smith’s loved ones, including his parents, Michelle and Neil, had been cheering him on from the stands all night. Before the final, his mum had joked: “I can’t believe it, I really didn’t think he’d make it this far.”

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Smith started playing tennis at the age of just three and was a promising junior, winning two singles titles and three doubles titles. He faced the likes of Alexander Zverev and Cameron Norrie in juniors and became good friends with ATP star Jordan Thompson.

While he didn’t make it professional, the 29-year-old has still done what every young Australian tennis player teams of - lifting a trophy on Rod Laver Arena. And he only needed to win six points to do it. Smith’s home academy, the Castle Gill Tennis Academy, will also receive £25k (A$50k).

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