The Million Dollar One Point Slam put 22 pros against 10 amateurs. Players from across Australia had a chance to take home $1 million, and the qualifiers meant each state played the world’s best.
Representing Castle Hill Tennis Academy, Jordan Smith entered the event alongside AFL star Bailey Smith before storming through the draw to become the NSW State Champion.
The 29-year-old Smith then became a millionaire overnight defeating world No.111 Joanna Garland to secure the $1 million dollar prize.
Through the week he stunned fans by knocking out world No.2 Jannik Sinner, and dual Grand Slam finalist Amanda Anisimova on his way to the final.
A lifelong tennis player, Jordan first picked up the racquet when he was three years old, with his dad coaching him from an early age. He won two national junior singles titles and three national junior doubles titles between 2008 and 2012 and captained the Oakhill College First V tennis team to their state title in 2014. As a junior he played against Cam Norrie and Alexander Zverev.
And in a sign that Smith really has been born under a lucky star, he was sought out by Irresistible, and we chatted to him about whats next as a newly minted millionaire, and his plans for life back home in Castle Hill.
Last week you were a regular tennis coach in Castle Hill and now you’re super famous! How does that feel?
Jordan Smith: It’s amazing- it’s like a dream! When I’m walking around the AO ground people are coming up to me taking photos and asking for autographs-it doesn’t feel real! I’m looking forward to going back home to Castle Hill and being around the club, and seeing all my students and their reactions.
We saw you had a good chat with Roger Federer after the win. Did he give you any tips for handling fame?
That took the cake, it was just unbelievable. Roger is an incredible person; he’s so down to earth. He was chatting with my girlfriend and I for about 15 to 20 minutes and it wasn’t even planned. He just loves chatting and he such a nice guy. He loves the game and loves talking about it.
Did you give you any tips? Or a Rolex?
That would be nice! We did get a nice photo I’m definitely going to frame it when I get home and put it in my bedroom.
Now you’re quite famous and everything, do you reckon you’ll consider going out on the circuit again?
I don’t think so. There’s a lot of travel and I do like being at home! I did give it a go a few years ago and I don’t regret anything, and I was happy with where I got to.
Presumably the money will take the pressure off?
I do really enjoy coaching and I’ll just probably do a little bit less during the week maybe. I’ve been doing about 40 to 50 hours a week. But I like being around the club so that won’t change.
I know you talked about putting the money to good use and buying a house, but now it’s settled, have you had any thoughts about completely blowing it? You must have a had a few people asking for a loan?
There’s has been quite a few messages from friends saying stuff like that. I think they’re all for fun. I do need a new car, so I’ll be looking out for that at some point. I lost the car point!
That’s right- the Kia went to Alec Reverente. You can’t have it all!
I know. I’m very lucky that I won anything!
We spoke to one of your friends, Daniel. He fancies becoming your manager. He said he’s been your best mate for 10 years now, and that you can get “…toothpaste sponsors, fame and glory.”
Yes, I’ll be catching up with him when things settle down. The last weekend before coming down to Melbourne I caught up with him and both our girlfriends for a trivia night. It’s crazy to think how one week later my life has changed.
Oh yes, he said something about you only knowing the answer to one trivia question, hence needing a manager!
We’ll see about that!
Apart from the cash and the photo of Roger, what do you think you’ll take forward with you. How has this experience changed you?
It’ll be cool to be back in Castle Hill and maybe be a bit more recognisable.
You’ll need to make sure your new car is a soft top so everyone can see you!
Oh yes! Once time passes it’ll probably all go back to normal, but it’s fantastic getting recognition for our club the Castle Hill Tennis Academy. We’ve also been given a $50,000 grant for the club so that’s brilliant.
You’ll be the King of Castle Hill for quite some time!
Haha yes!
There’s talk about doing this kind of event at other grand slams potentially and no doubt it’s been so successful it will happen again next year at the AO. What advice would you give somebody going into a one point slam? Did you have any tactics?
I definitely trained thinking about one point scenarios. I didn’t practice a particular shot or anything like that. It’s all dependent on who you’re playing. And the thousands of people and the TVs and the pros really does change everything and I tried not to think too much about what was at stake. I guess I just enjoyed it. Maybe that helped me be less nervous than the others.
The pros in the draw that represented Australian clubs were
Carlos Alcaraz – Agnes Water Tennis Club (Qld)
Jannik Sinner – Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai District Tennis Association (NSW)
Iga Swiatek – Chinchilla Tennis Association (Qld)
Coco Gauff – Keon Park Tennis Club (Vic)
Alexander Zverev – MCC Glen Iris Valley Tennis Club (Vic)
Naomi Osaka – Margaret River Tennis Club (WA)
Andy Lee – Balnarring Tennis Club (Vic)
Jay Chou – North Box Hill Tennis Club (Vic)
Bailey Smith – Surf Coast Tennis Club (Vic)
Karl Stefanovic – City Community Tennis (NSW)
Damien Oliver – Safety Bay Tennis Club (WA)
State Champions and community players vied for the chance to go through and the match ups were
Ashleigh Simes (ACT State Champion) v Andy Lee
Jordan Smith (NSW State Champion) v Bailey Smith
Thomas Van Haaren (NT State Champion) v Karl Stefanovic
Alec Reverente (QLD State Champion) v Loserfruit
Ashwin Vijayaragavan (SA State Champion) v Marat Safin
Kyle Mackin (TAS state Champion) v Damien Oliver
Petar Jovic (VIC State Champion) v Jay Chou
Steve Yarwood (WA State Champion) v Nick Kyrgios
