Rock, paper, scissors & millionaire: Aus Open's Million-Dollar 1 Point Slam

The Australian Open is reintroducing the Million-Dollar 1 Point Slam exhibition event for the 2027 tournament's Opening Week. This fan-favorite competition, valued at an impressive AUD 1 million (approximately USD 705,000), will once again award the winner a life-changing prize before the first Grand Slam of the year, which takes place from January 17 to 31 at Melbourne Park.

The inaugural edition in 2026 took the tennis world by storm, featuring an unexpected upset. Local amateur Jordan Smith, an unknown talent, eliminated World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the final before going on to secure the AUD 1 million prize after a controversial, last-minute point where Taiwan's Joanna Garland missed a two-handed backhand by mere inches.

What sets the 1 Point Slam apart from traditional tennis tournaments is its unique format. Each match is played out in a single point, determined by a game of rock, paper, scissors to decide the server. The chosen server gets only one chance to hit the ball into play, making every shot critically important. A fault, double fault, or let that fails to land legally results in immediate elimination. The constant pressure and high stakes create an electrifying atmosphere on the court.

This year, the event will attract a diverse range of participants, including professional players, local amateurs, and celebrities. Last year's draw featured Grand Slam champions Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, and Alexander Zverev, alongside Taiwanese music superstar Jay Chou. Chou's campaign was cut short when he was defeated by an ace from Petar Jovic without even hitting a single ball, an event that epitomized the drama and unpredictability of the one-point format.