In a night of high-stakes drama and unexpected upsets at Melbourne Park, a relatively unknown Sydney tennis coach seized a life-changing victory, overshadowing even the playful pre-match banter between a comedian and a grand slam champion.
The Pre-Match Banter: Lee's Zinger at Osaka
The $1 million 'One Point Slam', an all-or-nothing innovation by Tennis Australia, kicked off with some classic gamesmanship. Comedian and Channel 9 personality Andy Lee, famed for his quick wit, faced off against four-time major winner Naomi Osaka. Before their single-point match on Wednesday night, Lee attempted a psychological ploy.
Despite Osaka's two Australian Open titles, Lee quipped that while he didn't want to intimidate her, "she has lost a lot more points out here (Rod Laver Arena) than I have." A visibly taken-aback Osaka retorted, "you know what, just get on the court, we'll see what happens." The world number 16 ultimately had the last laugh, advancing when Lee double-faulted, handing her the victory.
A Cinderella Story: Jordan Smith's Million-Dollar Run
While the stars traded barbs, the real narrative of the night was being written by 29-year-old Jordan Smith, a tennis battler from Sydney. The event, in only its second year after a debut in 2025 with a $60,000 prize pool, featured a simple yet brutal format: each match consisted of a single point. Sixteen top-seeded pros, including world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, received byes before a knockout from the last-32.
In a twist designed to favour the underdog, qualified amateurs were allowed two serves, while current ATP or WTA players had only one. Smith, with his family who run the Castle Hill Tennis Academy watching in disbelief, embarked on a dream run. He claimed the prized scalps of two-time defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner and dual grand slam finalist Amanda Anisimova.
His fairytale culminated in a final against women's world No.117 Joanna Garland, whom he defeated to claim the monumental cheque. "I can't even speak," an overwhelmed Smith said. When asked about his plans for the winnings, the humble champion stated, "Invest or buy a house definitely with my girlfriend."
Stars Falter Under Pressure
The unpredictable format proved a great leveller. French world No.34 Corentin Moutet was the first pro eliminated. Local favourite Nick Kyrgios admitted, "My heart is racing. Honestly, this feels like the finals of Wimbledon," after narrowly winning his opener, only to later bow out in the quarter-finals.
As the pressure mounted, top men's stars perished. Sinner confessed to nerves after gifting Smith victory with a netted serve, saying, "You cannot imagine my heartbeat right now. It's around 200." Alcaraz succumbed to Maria Sakkari, while Swiatek made history by winning the first 'Battle of the Sexes' match against Flavio Cobolli.
In the end, the night belonged not to a global superstar, but to the ultimate battler. "It's insane," Smith remarked, perfectly summarising a event where fortune, nerve, and a single point could change a life forever.
