MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 13: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates a point against Alexander Shevchenko of Kazakhstan in the Men’s Singles First Round match during day two of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 13, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
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World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz will headline the ‘Million Dollar 1 Point Slam’ at the Australian Open next year where amateurs will have the chance to play top professional players in a single-point showdown for a grand prize pot.
An expanded opening week at the Australian Open 2026 will see 10 amateurs from across the country pitted against 22 pros, with 1 million Australian dollars (approximately $656,100) up for grabs.
The hefty prize pot is just short of the 1.1 million Australian dollars awarded to players who reached the semi-finals of the men’s or women’s singles main draw in the 2025 Australian Open.
How Will ‘1 Point Slam’ Work?
A game of ‘rock, paper, scissors’ will determine who serves or receives. Whoever wins the point wins the match and progresses to the next round.
Qualifying for the amateurs’ spots will take place across Australia and at the Australian Open during the opening week, with the final played on the iconic Rod Laver Arena.
According to a Sky Sports report, five knockout rounds will be held and the final stages will take place during a night session. In the 2025 format, the pros were allowed to serve once and the amateurs twice – as is the norm in traditional tennis.
“I can reveal today that World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz will headline the pro player line-up in the Million Dollar 1 Point Slam – a thrilling new initiative where one point could win you A$1 million,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.
“Whether you’re an amateur or a pro, the ultimate winner will walk away with the prize. Entries will open soon at clubs across the country, and during opening week, finalists will compete for a chance to face the pros on Rod Laver Arena.
“With more big names to be announced soon, you now have a million reasons to pick up a racquet and get ready for January,” he added.
The Australian Open title is the only major Spaniard Alcaraz has not won so far. The 22-year-old, a six-time Grand Slam champion, is a two-time quarter-finalist (2024, 2025) at the Melbourne Park major.
Last month, Alcaraz said his new goal is to win the upcoming Australian Open and complete the career Grand Slam – the term used to refer to the accomplishment of winning each of the four major championships during a player’s career.
What Happened In 2o25?
The 2026 edition will be the second ‘1 Point Slam’ held at Melbourne Park. The contest first took place at this year’s Australian Open, where current World no. 14 Andrey Rublev was the top-ranked player.
Russian Rublev was lost in the quarter-finals, as Australian professional Omar Jasika defeated Priscilla Hon in a 35-shot rally to win the contest, taking home the A$60,000 prize money.
Played in front of an almost empty KIA Arena this year, organizers will hope for a bigger and better turnout for the first of its kind tournament in 2026.
The main draw for the 2026 Australian Open will run from January 18 to February 1.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/manasipathak-1/2025/10/08/carlos-alcaraz-headlines-million-dollar-1-point-slam-at-australian-open-2026/
