Quick Read
- Amanda Anisimova competed in the inaugural One Point Slam tournament ahead of the 2026 Australian Open.
- She defeated Arthur Rinderknech but was subsequently beaten by Australian amateur Jordan Smith.
- Jordan Smith, an amateur, won the A$1 million prize by employing a ‘brick wall’ strategy.
- Smith upset several top professionals, including Jannik Sinner, Pedro Martinez, and Amanda Anisimova.
- The One Point Slam featured a unique format where each match was decided by a single point.
In a compelling display of tennis where a single point dictated destinies, American tennis star Amanda Anisimova found herself at the heart of the inaugural One Point Slam, an innovative exhibition tournament that captivated audiences just before the 2026 Australian Open. This unique event, held at Melbourne’s Kia Arena, promised an unprecedented A$1 million prize to the winner, pitting seasoned professionals against ambitious amateurs in a format designed for explosive, instant drama.
The One Point Slam was conceived as a thrilling prelude to one of tennis’s Grand Slams, offering a fresh perspective on competitive play. Its premise was deceptively simple yet incredibly challenging: each match was decided by a single, decisive point. This radical format stripped away the usual marathon rallies and strategic game plans, reducing the contest to raw nerve, precision, and a touch of luck. For professionals like Anisimova, it meant adapting their extensive training and experience to a high-stakes, blink-and-you-miss-it scenario. For amateurs, it was a golden, perhaps once-in-a-lifetime, opportunity to measure themselves against the world’s best on an equal, albeit fleeting, footing.
Anisimova’s Rollercoaster in the One Point Slam
Amanda Anisimova, known for her powerful groundstrokes and aggressive play, entered the tournament as one of the prominent professional figures. Her journey in the One Point Slam showcased both her prowess and the format’s inherent unpredictability. She successfully navigated her initial challenge, defeating France’s Arthur Rinderknech. According to Tennis Temple, Rinderknech, facing the additional pressure of men only benefiting from one serve in this format, failed to land his serve, giving Anisimova the win. This victory highlighted Anisimova’s ability to capitalize on immediate opportunities and maintain composure under intense pressure.
However, the tournament’s narrative quickly pivoted towards the spectacular rise of an underdog. Anisimova’s path eventually crossed with Jordan Smith, a relatively unknown Australian amateur and the New South Wales state champion. Smith’s strategy, as he famously described, was to ‘basically be a brick wall,’ focusing on consistency and forcing his opponents into errors rather than attempting flashy winners. This conservative yet effective approach proved to be a formidable challenge for the professionals.
The Amateur Uprising: Jordan Smith’s Unforgettable Run
Jordan Smith’s performance was the undisputed headline of the One Point Slam. His journey to the A$1 million prize was a testament to mental fortitude and a perfectly executed strategy. Smith’s remarkable run saw him dispatching not only Amanda Anisimova but also other high-profile professionals, including the defending Australian Open champion and world No. 2, Jannik Sinner, and Spain’s Pedro Martinez. Sinner, surprisingly, faulted on his only serve, illustrating the immense pressure and unforgiving nature of the one-point format. The home crowd at Kia Arena erupted in delight as Smith continued his improbable ascent, proving that in this unique competition, pedigree could be overturned in an instant.
Smith’s ultimate triumph came against Taiwanese player Joanna Garland, who herself had an incredible run, beating top names like Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios after failing to qualify for the Australian Open. The final match’s single point saw Garland’s serve returned by Smith’s backhand, only for her subsequent backhand to drift wide, handing the amateur the stunning victory. Overwhelmed, Smith struggled to articulate his feelings, stating, ‘I can’t even speak, that’s unbelievable,’ as reported by The Independent. He quickly revealed plans to invest his winnings or buy a house with his girlfriend, underscoring the life-changing impact of the prize. Beyond personal gain, Smith’s success also benefited his club, Castle Hill Tennis Academy in Sydney, which received A$50,000 from Tennis Australia to upgrade its facilities, further cementing the tournament’s positive ripple effect.
Beyond the Million: Other Notable Moments and the Format’s Impact
The One Point Slam was rich with other intriguing storylines. Queensland qualifier Alec Reverente, another amateur, triumphed in the amateurs’ final, securing a new Kia car. Iga Swiatek, a multi-Grand Slam champion, also showcased her aggressive style, stunning Flavio Cobolli with a dominant point, as noted by Tennis Temple. Corentin Moutet, another professional, was upset by Andres Schneiter, a 49-year-old coach, further demonstrating the unpredictable outcomes when only a single point matters. The rule stipulating that men get only one serve added another layer of challenge and strategic consideration, making every serve a high-pressure moment.
The tournament served as a powerful reminder that in tennis, raw talent and years of experience can sometimes be momentarily neutralized by a format that prioritizes immediate execution and mental resilience above all else. It offered a rare glimpse into the sheer intensity of a single, do-or-die point, a scenario usually reserved for tie-breaks or match points in traditional matches, but here, it was the entire game. The One Point Slam successfully bridged the gap between the professional circuit and the amateur dream, creating compelling narratives and showcasing the depth of talent across all levels of the sport.
The One Point Slam, while an exhibition, profoundly demonstrated the democratizing power of a simplified format, allowing sheer willpower and a focused strategy to disrupt established hierarchies. Amanda Anisimova’s encounter with Jordan Smith perfectly encapsulated this dynamic, highlighting how even top professionals can be vulnerable when the entire match hinges on a single, perfectly executed moment. This tournament didn’t just entertain; it offered a potent lesson in the mental game of tennis, proving that under specific, high-pressure conditions, the line between amateur and professional can blur with thrilling, unexpected consequences.