Alcaraz, Osaka, Medvedev to chase $1M in high-stakes ‘1 Point Slam’ flash event in Melbourne
The Australian Open’s high-stakes “Opening Week” experiment reaches a fever pitch as World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz is joined by Naomi Osaka and Daniil Medvedev in a 48-player field where a single point – and a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors – decides a $1 million payday.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025 | © Zuma / PsNewz
In a sport, tennis, where matches can stretch beyond five hours, the Australian Open is betting its biggest “Opening Week” prize on a contest that can end in five seconds.
Tournament officials confirmed Wednesday that two-time Melbourne champion Naomi Osaka and former finalist Daniil Medvedev are the latest to commit to the AO 1 Point Slam, that was announced on October 7th. They join a star-studded professional lineup headlined by World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, defending champion Jannik Sinner, and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek.
The event, scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, under the lights of Rod Laver Arena, pits 24 of the world’s elite professionals against community amateurs and celebrity wildcards in a knockout bracket where every “match” consists of exactly one point. The stakes are unprecedented for a pre-tournament exhibition: the ultimate winner takes home $1 million (AUD), which are 671,245 (USD) and 569,065 euros.
The Great Equalizer: Rock, Paper, Scissors
The 1 Point Slam discards the traditional coin toss; instead, players must face off in a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to determine who serves and who receives.
In a one-point match, the tactical advantage of the serve is paramount, making the pre-match hand game as critical as the subsequent forehand. To further bridge the gap between icons and amateurs, a specific serving rule is in place: amateur players are granted the standard two serves, while professional players are restricted to just one. A single fault by a pro results in immediate elimination.
“The strength of the 1 Point Slam is the mix of the world’s best players and passionate community competitors,” said Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley. “Having stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, and Jannik Sinner committed to play, alongside everyday Australians qualifying through State Championships, captures exactly what this event is about.”
Meet the “State Champions”
Over the past months, more than 5,000 players across 235 Australian clubs competed in local qualifying events to secure one of eight “State Champion” slots. These players have already secured a “player experience” package, including accommodation at the Westin Melbourne and 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
The amateur field includes notable stories of grit:
- Ashleigh Simes, a 22-year-old former U.S. college player and two-time ACT Player of the Year.
- Jordan Smith, a 29-year-old who faced current ATP stars Cameron Norrie and Alexander Zverev during his junior career.
- Ashwin Vijayaragavan, a former Davis Cup player for India who once reached a world ranking of No. 570.
- Steve Yarwood, a 38-year-old who credits his qualification to his prowess in Rock, Paper, Scissors, having previously competed in dedicated RPS championships.
Prizes Beyond the Million
While the $1 million is a “winner-takes-all” prize, the event serves a broader community purpose. The local tennis club represented by the eventual champion (whether pro or amateur) will receive a $50,000 grant from Tennis Australia. Additionally, the last amateur player left standing in the draw will walk away with a brand-new Kia EV3 GT-Line in Matcha Green, Kia being the title partner of the event.
The 48-player bracket is nearly full. For those who didn’t win their State Championship, the dream isn’t over. The final eight “Qualifier” spots will be determined at Melbourne Park between January 12 and January 14.
The Australian Open, first Grand Slam in 2026, will start on January 18th. All the pro players will have a second chance to win the million. But for that, they’ll need to reach the semis.
