Alcaraz, Sinner among stars locked in for Australian Open 1 Point Slam
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Carlos Alcaraz, the Australian Open’s defending singles champion, will headline the popular AO 1 Point Slam.
PHOTO: REUTERS
MELBOURNE – Defending Australian Open champion Carlos Alcaraz will headline the popular AO 1 Point Slam alongside Jannik Sinner, Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka in 2027 as top professionals take on amateurs again for a million-dollar payday ahead of the Grand Slam.
The event, part of the Australian Open's opening week, sees professionals and amateurs battle in a knockout contest where a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors decides who serves or receives, and one point is enough to send a player through.
It proved hugely popular among fans after its introduction at the 2025 tournament, with some of the amateurs toppling more fancied opponents, before Australian professional Omar Jasika pocketed the inaugural A$60,000 (S$53,000) prize.
In 2026, Sydney amateur Jordan Smith bagged A$1 million after beating Taiwan professional Joanna Garland in the final, having also downed Sinner and Amanda Anisimova earlier.
“The AO 1 Point Slam is unlike anything else in world sport,” the Australian Open's chief tennis officer Tom Larner said in a statement.
“It creates an opportunity for grassroots tennis players to share the spotlight with some of the biggest names in the game and delivers a level of excitement that only the Australian Open can provide.”
At the Australian Open launch in Melbourne on Oct 8, organisers said amateur players across the nation were competing in qualifying events at local clubs.
The 2027 champion will receive a signature AO 1 Point Slam trophy crafted from Australian silver, they added.
The final of the tournament takes place on Jan 13 at Rod Laver Arena, while the Australian Open main draw will run from Jan 17 to 31. REUTERS