- Unfolded during $1 million ‘One Point Slam’
World number 12 Daniil Medvedev may need to give AFL star Bailey Smith some private tennis lessons if his reaction to the Geelong’s midfielder’s on-court ‘skills’ are any guide.
The Russian, 29, was spotted watching the action from the $1 million ‘One Point Slam’ in the men’s locker room at Melbourne Park – and was in disbelief when Smith overhit a simple forehand.
It meant the Cats’ fan favourite squandered his chance at the cash, which was won by unassuming Sydney tennis coach Jordan Smith.
His bombshell victory was impressive given he eliminated world no.2 Jannik Sinner along the way.
Smith, 29, has been playing tennis since he was three, and qualified for the event after winning the Australian Open’s One Point Slam NSW State Championships.
The crowd went crazy after he claimed victory against Sinner, but the roof nearly exploded off Rod Laver Arena when Smith went on to beat world No 117 Joanna Garland to be crowned champion of the One Point Slam.
World number 12 Daniil Medvedev may need to give footy star Bailey Smith some private tennis lessons if his reaction to the Geelong’s midfielder’s on-court ‘skills’ are any guide
The Russian was spotted watching the action from the $1 million ‘One Point Slam’ in the men’s locker room at Melbourne Park – and appeared to be shocked (pictured) when Smith overhit a simple forehand
It meant the Cats’ fan favourite squandered his chance at the cash prize, which was won by unassuming Sydney tennis coach Jordan Smith
‘I can’t even speak, it’s unbelievable,’ he said on court.
Smith was then asked what he will do with the money, to which he responded: ‘invest or buy a house with my girlfriend, I guess.’
Meanwhile, Medvedev is looming as a dark horse in the men’s singles at Melbourne Park.
He won the recent Brisbane International and is said to have revamped his game in recent months under Australian born coach Rohan Goetzke.
The Russian, who is a three-time AO finalist, takes on Dutchman Jesper de Jong in his first-round match on January 18.
US tennis great Andy Roddick has no doubt Medvedev can go deep at the ‘Happy Slam.’
‘Meddy is back, he is back! You see the difference, him going into Australia last year, he didn’t play any lead-up events,’ he said.
‘(For me, he’s fit) he’s back in the conversation.’
