Jordan Smith Stuns in One Point Slam to Win $1M

Sydney’s Jordan Smith pulled off one of the most unlikely wins in recent tennis memory, turning a single-point contest at Melbourne Park into a million-dollar triumph.

“I Can’t Even Speak”

The 29-year-old had already made headlines by knocking out two-time defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner and women’s grand slam finalist Amanda Anisimova on his way to the final. 

However, it was his victory over women’s world No.117 Joanna Garland in Wednesday night’s final that really cemented his place in tennis folklore. 

Smith walked off Rod Laver Arena with a $1 million cheque, a reward for a night where the underdog beat some of the sport’s biggest names.

“I can’t even speak,” Smith said, watching his family from the stands. When asked about what he plans to do with the whopping win, he said he will invest it or “a house definitely with my girlfriend”.

Garland, on the other hand, also produced an undeniably remarkable run. After she lost in the Australian Open qualifier earlier in the week, the 24-year-old went on to defeat AO 2025 runner-up Alexander Zverev, home favourite Nick Kyrgios, and top women’s pros Maria Sakkari and Donna Vekic. 

“I’m loving it,” she said. “I didn’t even tell my friends I was competing, so low were my expectations.”

“Rock, Paper, Scissors” Instead of Coin Toss

The One Point Slam, staged for the second time in its history, was definitely built for drama, as each match consisted of a single point, and the popular “rock, paper, scissors” game decided serve or receive instead of a standard coin toss. 

Professionals had just one serve, while the 24 amateurs received two, creating a truly unique blend of skill, luck, and nerves.

Even big names were humbled, with French No.34 Corentin Moutet being the first player out, Kyrgios surviving a tense opening point but eventually losing to Garland, and men’s second seed Sinner seeing a crucial serve sail into the net, giving Smith a path to the quarter-finals. 

Six-time grand slam champion Iga Swiatek showcased her power in the first “Battle of the Sex. At the same time, Daniil Medvedev, Frances Tiafoe, and Carlos Alcaraz all fell.

In the end, the format proved to work in favor of the fearless, and Smith’s composure under pressure was decisive.