A plucky underdog who runs a tennis academy with his family in Sydney’s western suburbs has given a host of the sport’s biggest names cause to sign up for next year’s 1 Point Slam Driven by Kia at Melbourne Park.
Amateur player Jordan Smith outshone a field that included Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka for the prize of AUD$1,000,000 after holding his nerve against women’s world No.117 Joanna Garland in the final at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night.
Smith, who knocked out two professionals in reigning Australian Open champion Sinner and two-time major finalist Amanda Anisimova en-route to the final, was one of 24 amateurs who qualified or were handed wildcards to the main draw.
They joined 16 top-seeded professionals for the knockout event, whose places in the main draw are likely to come under fierce competition next year given the reactions online.