There is a life-changing amount of prize money on offer at the Australian Open this year.
The Australian Open is offering a record AU$111.5million prize pot this year, with AU$3.5million of this being awarded to the singles champions.
However, there was also a significant amount of money being awarded away from the main tournament at the 1 Point Slam event, which saw amateur Jordan Smith take home AU$1million.
Smith beat WTA player Joanna Garland in the final of this event, and she has now posted a lengthy message on social media after just missing out on a life-changing amount of money.
Joanna Garland posts first message on social media after the One Point Slam
Joanna Garland, who was born in England but represents Chinese Taipei, is the current world number 117, which is the highest ranking of her singles career so far.
Despite never being inside the top 100 of the singles rankings, Garland beat the likes of Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios en route to reaching the 1 Point Slam final.
Garland has only won $438,584 in her career and would have been able to more than double this had she beaten Smith in the final.
However, after missing out on that opportunity, Garland has posted a heartfelt message in her reflections from the 1 Point Slam.
“It hurts being one point away from something that genuinely would’ve changed my family’s life, but no amount of money could ever buy the experience of sharing a sold out Rod Laver Arena with some of the goats of the game,” Garland wrote on Instagram.
“What money could also never buy is the heartfelt overwhelming amount of support and positivity I’ve received as a result of this. The people met and friendships formed over the past few weeks, spending time with my bestie and some wonderful human beings, has all been priceless. Sounds like winning to me.”
What is next for Joanna Garland?
Away from the 1 Point Slam, it has been a mixed start to the season for Garland, who won the biggest title of her career at the WTA 125 event in Canberra.
However, after winning this title, Garland lost in the first round of the qualifying draw ahead of the Australian Open.
Garland was then able to put this disappointment behind her for the One Point Slam, but she now has to turn her focus back to the WTA Tour.
As she looks to continue her movement towards the top 100, Garland will return to action at another WTA 125 tournament in Manila, Philippines.
Garland will play third seed Solana Sierra in a difficult first round match in Manila, a player who she has never faced before.
After competing in Manila, Garland is scheduled to compete at the WTA 125 tournament in Mumbai, before heading to Europe for the ITF 50k event in Grenoble.
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