Amateur player Jordan Smith won A$1 million (US$664,835) at the Australian Open's Million Dollar One Point Slam, defeating world number two Jannik Sinner in the process. The innovative event, held on Rod Laver Arena, gave amateur players the chance to compete against top-ranked professionals and celebrities in single-point matches for a substantial prize.

Smith, the New South Wales state champion, also defeated women's world number four Amanda Anisimova in front of nearly 15,000 spectators. He ultimately faced Joanna Garland, ranked 117th in the world, in the final round. Garland, a 24-year-old from Taiwan, had previously upset men's world number three Alexander Zverev and former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios.

Alec Reverente, the Queensland state champion, also distinguished himself, defeating men's world number seven Felix Auger-Aliassime. Smith and Reverente, as the two highest-performing amateurs, advanced to the final stages of the competition.

The Million Dollar One Point Slam represents a novel approach to integrating amateur players into professional tennis events. The format, which emphasizes a single, high-stakes point, levels the playing field and creates opportunities for unexpected upsets. It also provides significant financial rewards for amateur participants.

The event's success raises questions about the future of sports competitions and the potential for AI to further democratize access to professional-level events. While the use of AI in sports is still in its early stages, it has the potential to analyze player performance, predict match outcomes, and even generate personalized training programs. This could lead to a more data-driven and accessible approach to sports development, potentially allowing amateur players to improve their skills and compete at higher levels.

"I would have been happy winning just one point," Smith said after his victory, highlighting the unexpected nature of his triumph. The Australian Open has not yet announced plans for future iterations of the Million Dollar One Point Slam.