The Australian Open will bring back its unique “1 Point Slam” event in 2027, with notable players like Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, and Jannik Sinner confirming their participation. This sudden-death competition was introduced at Melbourne Park earlier this year, featuring 24 professionals competing against 24 amateurs and celebrity wildcards, where each match consisted of a single point—win to advance, lose to be eliminated.
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In a surprising turn, amateur Jordan Smith triumphed in the inaugural event, defeating a lineup of stars at a packed Rod Laver Arena to win 1 million Australian dollars (approximately $670,000).
Tennis Australia’s Tom Larner emphasized the event's role in spotlighting grassroots players alongside top tennis professionals, stating, “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 winners from eight state championship rounds held across Australia, along with eight players emerging through qualification rounds. The 2026 Australian Open attracted over 1.3 million attendees, and organizers are planning to expand viewing capacity and seating for the 2027 tournament, scheduled from January 17 to 31.