Amateur star wins huge Aus Open prize after – Sports News
Jordan Smith, a 29-year-old from Sydney, gained a million {dollars} on the 1 Point Slam (Image: Getty)
An newbie tennis participant from Sydney has secured a staggering prize verify for enjoying, and successful, simply six factors on Rod Laver Arena. Jordan Smith emerged victorious in state qualifying in New South Wales to earn a spot on the One Point Slam, a distinctive event being held during the Australian Open’s opening week, and was topped the champion.
The One Point Slam matches professionals towards amateurs, with every match lasting only one level and the winner pocketing $670k (A$1m). To even the percentages, the professionals get only one serve, whereas the amateurs have two – and it proved pivotal for Smith.
The 29-year-old handed two-time defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner his first ‘loss’ at Melbourne Park since 2023. They met within the third spherical, the place Sinner dumped the ball into the web whereas serving towards the newbie.
Smith had already crushed Aussie guidelines star Bailey Smith – no relation – within the first spherical. Then, he knocked out WTA No. 200 Laura Pigossi earlier than beating Sinner. He saved it going, beating professionals Amanda Anisimova and Pedro Martinez, earlier than dealing with WTA No. 117 Joanna Garland in a fairytale ultimate.
Garland herself brought about some massive upsets, beating Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Maria Sakkari, and Donna Vekic. Before their one-point showdown within the ultimate, Smith shared his hopes of shopping for a home if he gained the prize money.
Jordan Smith made it to the ultimate (Image: TNT Sports)
“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 additionally competed for a model new Kia vehicle, going head-to-head with Alec Reverente in a showdown between the night’s top-performing state champions. Reverente had knocked out world No. 7 Felix Auger-Aliassime earlier than his quarter-final exit, and he prevailed over Smith to say the car.
However, Smith secured the evening’s final prize when he confronted off towards Garland, who gained a recreation of rock, paper, scissors to decide on his serve – no conventional coin toss right here!
The two exchanged pictures in a rally earlier than Garland’s ball sailed huge, awarding Smith the win – and a million Australian {dollars}. The newbie thrust his arms skyward earlier than putting them behind his head, gazing up on the Rod Laver Arena roof in surprised amazement.
“I’m kind of speechless,” the 29-year-old beamed. “I’ll definitely buy a house.” Smith’s household, together with his dad and mom, Michelle and Neil, had been supporting him from the stands all through the night. Before the ultimate, his mother had joked: “I can’t believe it, I really didn’t think he’d make it this far.”
Smith picked up a racket at simply three years previous and confirmed early promise as a junior, claiming two singles titles and three doubles titles. He competed towards the likes of Alexander Zverev and Cameron Norrie in junior tournaments and fashioned a close friendship with ATP star Jordan Thompson.
Although he did not flip skilled, the 29 yr previous achieved what each younger Australian tennis participant goals of – hoisting a trophy on Rod Laver Arena. Remarkably, he solely needed to win six factors to perform this feat.
Smith’s home academy, the Castle Gill Tennis Academy, can even benefit from his victory, receiving $33k (A$50k).
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