The Australian Open will once again feature its unique "1 Point Slam" event in 2027, with top tennis professionals including Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Coco Gauff, and Naomi Osaka confirmed to participate. The competition, which takes place ahead of the Grand Slam's main draw from January 17 to 31, offers a sudden-death format where each match consists of a single point to decide who advances.
First introduced in 2025, the 1 Point Slam matches bring together 24 professional players and 24 amateurs, along with celebrity wildcards, in a knockout contest. The outcome of each point immediately determines progression, with a game of scissors-paper-stone used to decide serve or receive. Notably, professionals do not have a second serve, intensifying the pressure of the solitary point. The event culminates in a final played at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.
The 2026 iteration saw amateur player Jordan Smith achieve a stunning upset by defeating several high-profile opponents, including Jannik Sinner and Amanda Anisimova, before overcoming Taiwanese professional Joanna Garland in the final to claim the A$1 million prize. Smith’s victory marked a significant moment for grassroots tennis, demonstrating the event’s commitment to providing opportunities for amateur players to compete alongside elite athletes.
Tennis Australia’s chief tennis officer, Tom Larmer, highlighted that the 1 Point Slam creates a valuable platform for blending grassroots competitors with marquee stars, aiming to foster engagement and excitement around the Australian Open. The amateur contingent is selected through a combination of state championship winners from across Australia and players emerging from national qualifying events held at local clubs.
At the 2027 launch in Melbourne on October 8, organizers also revealed that the new champion will receive a specially crafted AO1 Point Slam trophy made from Australian silver. Attendance at the 2026 Australian Open exceeded 1.3 million, and plans are underway to increase seating and viewing capacity for the upcoming tournament.
The 1 Point Slam final is scheduled for January 13, several days before the main Grand Slam event begins, offering fans a dynamic and unpredictable start to the Australian Open fortnight. The event’s fast-paced and novel format continues to attract significant attention and participation from top-ranked players and amateurs alike, underscoring its growing role within the tournament’s broader programming.