“One Point Slam” Tournament Amateur Beats Professionals and Wins $1 Million

(Melbourne) Australian amateur player Jordan Smith caused a surprise by pocketing 1 million Australian dollars (930,000 Canadian dollars) after winning the “One Point Slam” tournament on Wednesday, before the start of the Australian Open.

In a sold-out Rod Laver Arena, this new meeting pitted 24 professionals such as Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek against 24 amateurs and guest celebrities.

Each match consisted of a single point: the winner continues, the loser is eliminated.

The 16 highest ranked professionals were exempt from the first round, before a final phase similar to that of a Grand Slam, from the 16^are of final.

To determine who serves, a game of “rock, paper, scissors” replaces the traditional toss of a coin. Unlike professionals, amateurs have the right to a second service.

Jordan Smith, who qualified after winning the New South Wales state championship, beat 117^e world player Joanna Garland in the final, after previously eliminating the n^o 2 world Jannik Sinner and the American Amanda Anisimova.

Garland^o 1 Taiwanese, had defeated Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios and the Greek Maria Sakkari on her way to the final.

“Coming here, I would have been happy to just get one point,” said Smith, who plans to buy a house with the jackpot.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz lost to Sakkari (52^e World Cup), while three-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev was beaten by Anisimova, before she herself was eliminated by Jordan Smith. The Polish Iga Swiatek lost to the Spaniard Pedro Martinez (71^e global).

The list of amateurs entered included the eight winners of the Australian regional championships, in addition to eight from qualifiers held earlier in the week. Eight invitations were also distributed to celebrities, such as Taiwanese singer Jay Chou.

“This event is the ultimate experience for fans to compete at Grand Slam level,” said Australian tennis director Craig Tiley.

“The One Point Slam is tennis in its most exciting version: one point, one chance at glory. Fast, unfiltered and open to all. »

Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys put their titles on the line at the Australian Open which begins Sunday in Melbourne.