MELBOURNE: The Australian Open is set to bring back its unique "1 Point Slam" in 2027, with top players Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, and Jannik Sinner confirmed to participate as of Thursday. This sudden-death event debuted at Melbourne Park in 2026, featuring 24 professionals, 24 amateur players, and several celebrity wildcards. Each match was limited to a single point—win to advance, lose to be eliminated.
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In an unexpected outcome, amateur Jordan Smith triumphed over the competitive lineup at a sold-out Rod Laver Arena, securing a prize of Aus$1 million (US$670,000). Tom Larner from Tennis Australia noted, "It creates an opportunity for grassroots tennis players to share the spotlight with some of the biggest names in the game. Having stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, and Jannik Sinner locked in to play, alongside everyday Australians, captures exactly what this event is about, bringing people together through tennis."
The amateur participants will again include champions from eight state championship rounds across Australia, as well as eight others selected through qualifying rounds. The 2026 Australian Open attracted over 1.3 million attendees, and organizers plan to expand viewing capacity and seating for the 2027 tournament, scheduled from January 17-31.