One million for one point: amateurs vs. champions in Australia, Carlos Alcaraz’s presence already certain
The 2025 season has yet to conclude, but already people are thinking about 2026 and the first major event of the new year, the Australian Open: a tournament that will see, on the sidelines, a new initiative designed by Tennis Australia and promoted by the latter’s CEO, Craig Tiley: the “Million Dollar 1 Point Slam”.
The name, in practice, says it all: each match will be played over the distance of a single point (tennis players on the court will play “paper, rock or scissors” to determine who will serve), the winner goes through and the loser is out. Up for grabs is an absolutely respectable economic prize, one million Australian dollars (about 564 thousand euros at current exchange rates). The format will feature thirty-two contenders: not only professional tennis players but also amateurs, who will have ten spots allocated through a qualification system involving Australian tennis clubs.
Tiley has already confirmed, among the professionals, the presence of a big name like Carlos Alcaraz, but he has not ruled out announcing other big names in the coming weeks. Whoever wins the final scheduled at Rod Laver Arena during Australian Open Opening Week, pro or amateur, will take home the prize money: “Tennis fans have a million reasons to pick up a racket and get ready for January” explained the CEO of Tennis Australia.
Held since 1905 and transitioning from grass (used until 1987) to various synthetic hard surfaces (GreenSet is currently used), the Australian Open is the first of four seasonal Grand Slam tournaments: the holders are Jannik Sinner in the men’s, Madison Keys in the women’s, Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten in the men’s doubles, and Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend in the women’s doubles.
