In a stunning tennis upset, amateur player Jordan Smith has defeated world number two Jannik Sinner to win a life-changing $1 million (£490,000) jackpot. The remarkable victory took place at the innovative One Point Slam event in Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday 14 January 2026.
The Million-Dollar Point
The One Point Slam is a revolutionary tournament format where matches are decided by a single, high-stakes point. Amateurs are given two serves in each contest, while professional players like Sinner are restricted to just one. The 29-year-old Smith, from Sydney, capitalised on this rule when the Italian star's solitary serve hit the net, knocking the grand slam champion out of the competition.
Smith's fairytale run didn't end there. He went on to triumph in the final against British-born Taiwanese player Joanna Garland, ranked 117 in the world. Garland had herself caused a sensation by beating a string of top professionals, including Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Maria Sakkari, and Donna Vekic, to reach the showdown.
Stars, Nerves and Rock, Paper, Scissors
The event, which debuted on a smaller scale last year, featured an impressive roster of tennis elite. Other big names participating included Carlos Alcaraz, Francis Tiafoe, and Daniil Medvedev. The inclusion of amateurs and celebrities like Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou added a unique and unpredictable dimension to the tournament.
Nerves were palpable among the professionals, not least because of the one-serve rule. Sinner and US Open champion Coco Gauff were among those who saw their chances vanish by netting their serves. Adding to the unpredictable fun, the server for each contest was decided by a quick game of rock, paper, scissors.
Context and Aftermath
The One Point Slam's rise in profile follows other innovations in tennis, such as the US Open's revamped mixed doubles event. While Smith celebrates his extraordinary windfall, it is extremely unlikely Jannik Sinner will be overly troubled by the 'loss'. The 24-year-old Italian is enjoying a stellar period, having won both the Australian Open and Wimbledon championships in the preceding twelve months.
The main draw of the 2026 Australian Open begins on Sunday, where Sinner will aim to defend his title in more conventional fashion at Melbourne Park.
