Amateur tennis player Jordan Smith surprised everyone at Melbourne Park by winning the inaugural ‘1 Point Slam’ exhibition event, defeating top professionals including reigning Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner. The event, held just before the 2026 Australian Open, featured a unique format where matches were decided by a single point, adding excitement and unpredictability. Despite the presence of renowned players like Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff, it was Smith who emerged victorious, beating five professionals on his way to the title.
Smith’s remarkable journey included defeating World No. 2 Jannik Sinner after a net-clipped serve, followed by wins against other top players like Amanda Anisimova and Pedro Martinez. In the final, Smith faced Joanna Garland, ranked 117 in the WTA standings, and secured the win after a crucial point in a tense match. The victory was celebrated by the crowd, and Smith walked away as the champion of the ‘1 Point Slam’ with a significant prize.
The ‘1 Point Slam’ exhibition event took place at Rod Laver Arena with a prize pool of AUD 1 million, attracting both professionals and amateurs to compete in this innovative tennis format. The Australian Open draw ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, with the main draw action starting on Sunday at Melbourne Park, where Jannik Sinner is considered a top contender for the men’s singles title.
