The pros could not handle the pressure of the Australian Open 1 Point Slam on Wednesday.
Instead, an amateur was the last man standing to claim the $1 million prize.
Jordan Smith won the tournament in which each round consisted of just a single point. Smith, who plays at Castle Hill Tennis Club in New South Wales, ousted Jannik Sinner and Amanda Anisimova en route to the title. He beat Joanna Garland in the final when Garland sent a backhand wide.
“I can’t speak; it’s unbelievable,” Smith said.
Following rounds of qualifying at Melbourne Park earlier on Wednesday, a draw of 48 participants was set — with men, women, pros, and amateurs alike. The top seeds were Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff. Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Frances Tiafoe, and Naomi Osaka were also in the field.
Zverev lost his opening “match” to Garland, who also defeated Nick Kyrgios. Alcaraz got bounced by Maria Sakkari in the third round.
fun stuff