The Aussie tennis coach who pocketed $1 million in prize money while upstaging tennis champions plans to put his winnings towards property.
Jordan Smith, a 29-year-old tennis coach from Sydney, won the 1 Point Slam on Wednesday night, knocking out reigning Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner in the process to claim the $1 million prize.
The amateur tennis star shot from relative obscurity to overnight fame by winning the knockout tournament, where amateurs square up against professionals and celebrities in ultra-short matches determined by just one point.
Aussie tennis coach Jordan Smith won the 1 Point Slam at the Australian open, and plans to use the $1 million prize money to get into the property market. Picture: Getty
The event was a hit, attracting a full house to Rod Laver arena in the opening week of the Australian Open.
Mr Smith earned his place in the tournament by winning the 1 Point Slam NSW Championship, alongside seven other amateurs from around Australia.
Professionals playing in the knockout tournament included Carlos Alacaraz, Alexander Zverev, Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek, who joined celebrities including comedian Andy Lee, TV host Karl Stefanovic and jockey Damien Oliver.
Mr Smith defeated AFL star Bailey Smith in the first round, before knocking out Brazilian pro Laura Pigossi in a thrilling rally.
He then squared off against last year’s Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner, who bowed out after hitting his serve into the net. The rules of the tournament gave the pros only one serve, while amateurs were allowed the usual two.
Mr Smith defeated last year's Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner on his way to claiming the $1 million prize money. Picture: Getty
In the next round Mr Smith quickly dispatched Amanda Anismova, whose return went long, sending him into the semi final.
A win against Pedro Martinez took him to the final, where he faced Taiwanese pro Joanna Garland, whose wide backhand gave Mr Smith the $1 million prize.
Mr Smith was in disbelief when he won the knockout competition, which made him an instant millionaire. Picture: Getty
When quizzed on what he would do with the prize money, he answered: “Definitely try and buy a house, because Sydney prices are expensive.”
“Maybe even half a house, who knows, an apartment?” he then quipped, perhaps realising that $1 million can only go so far in Sydney’s soaring property market.
“This is going to look great on the mantle in the brand new house,” tennis player and broadcaster Todd Woodbridge told Mr Smith when he received the trophy. Picture: Getty
PropTrack data shows there are still 104 suburbs within the Greater Sydney region where median house prices are under $1 million, representing less than 17% of the city’s suburbs.
However, a budget of $1 million goes a lot further in Sydney’s unit market, and is enough to afford a median-priced apartment in almost 72% of Sydney suburbs.
A $1 million budget would be enough to buy a median-priced apartment in Castle Hill, where Jordan Smith works as a tennis coach, but a house would require double that budget. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
It would be sufficient to purchase a median-priced unit in Castle Hill, where Mr Smith works as a tennis coach – the median unit price there is $995,000.
However, a house in Castle Hill might be a tall order, given the suburb’s $2.43 million median house price. The last house to sell in Castle Hill for $1 million or less was a two-bedroom duplex which sold in 2022.
Realestate.com.au is the official real estate partner of the Australian Open, which runs from January 12 to February 1 this year.
Fans can take a closer look at Australia’s no. 1 address in tennis, with champion player Pat Rafter swapping his racquet for real estate to host a video walkthrough of the Australian Open in an exclusive listing on realestate.com.au.
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