In a stunning turn of events, tennis coach Jordan Smith has become an overnight sensation, claiming the top prize of $1 million in the One Point Slam tournament. The 29-year-old's incredible journey to the championship title has left the tennis world in awe, and he is now basking in the spotlight as Australia's newest millionaire.
Following his historic win, Smith was inundated with requests for interviews, selfies, and autographs, with over a dozen local and international media outlets clamoring for his attention. Despite having slept for less than three hours and with no food in his stomach, Smith took it all in stride, smiling from ear to ear as he navigated the chaos. "No one's really experienced this before, right?" he said, still trying to process the magnitude of his achievement.
Smith's remarkable run to the $1 million prize began with a solid serve that forced an error from AFL icon Bailey Smith, followed by a tight rally against world No. 86 Laura Pigossi. He then went on to defeat two-time defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner, who froze against Smith and faulted, prompting the Australian to put his hands on his head in disbelief. The "smiling assassin", as he is affectionately known, had truly earned his nickname, given to him by his year seven teacher, Mr. O'Hara.
"I always do smile, no matter really what," Smith said. "That's what a lot of people I play in matches say is so annoying, because I'm just smiling the whole time. But no, I do enjoy it."
Smith's winning streak continued with a strong serve that took care of Amanda Anisimova, a finalist at both Wimbledon and the US Open last year, in the quarters of the winner-takes-all event. He then went on to beat two more professionals, Pedro Martinez and Joanna Garland, to secure the grand prize. His girlfriend, Jessica Brand, a cyber and IP lawyer, was in the stands, watching the incredible evening unfold alongside Smith's parents and friends.
Brand, who has been coached by Smith's father since she was eight, described the moment as unbelievable. "We all jumped up, we were all shaking, all of our stuff was on the floor, we were just...," she said, struggling to find the words. "It was unbelievable, so I think we all just wanted to see Jordan afterwards." The pair had been hoping to travel to Japan and New Zealand this year, and with Smith's newfound wealth, those plans are now looking more likely.
The hours since Smith's triumph have been a whirlwind of TV cameras, autographs, and interviews. When asked about his plans for the $1 million prize, Smith admitted that he was still trying to process the magnitude of his win. "It's sort of just a 'J Smith', I need to probably fix that up," he said, laughing. With a potential tax bill of over $400,000, Smith is yet to see the money and is unsure of how much he will actually take home.
Despite the uncertainty, Smith is determined to enjoy the experience and make the most of his newfound fame. He has been fielding questions about his desire to use the winnings to buy property in Sydney, where the median house price is close to $2 million. "It'll help obviously a lot, but in Sydney at the moment, it's very difficult, that's why I'm still at home," Smith said. "It's going to help me for sure, but I haven't really thought too much about the money, just enjoying the experience, and just to be able to play centre court on Rod Laver Arena, play all the other professionals and celebrities and amateurs."
Some of the key highlights of Smith's win include:
As Smith navigates the aftermath of his win, he is sure to remain in the spotlight for some time to come. With his infectious smile and humble demeanor, he has won the hearts of fans around the world. As he looks to the future, one thing is certain: Jordan Smith is a name that will be remembered in the tennis world for a long time to come.
Original: The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Written by Npsports
