{
  "id": 12778322,
  "title": "Amateur players' chance to win $1m against pros returns to Australian Open",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/amateur-players-chance-to-win-1m-against-pros-returns-to-australian",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T03:41:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-08/australian-open-1-point-slam-alcaraz-sinner-osaka-gauff/107243436"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Australian Open's 1 Point Slam, an annual event where amateur players compete against professionals for a $1 million prize, will once again take place next year. Last year, amateur Jordan Smith emerged victorious, defeating two professional players, Jannik Sinner and Joanna Garland, in a single-point knockout tournament. The 2027 1 Point Slam final will see professional athletes like Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, and Jannik Sinner face off against amateur qualifiers and wild cards at Rod Laver Arena on January 13. The tournament, which comprises amateur, professional, and even celebrity players, was launched with the aim of strengthening the connection between the Australian Open and tennis communities across the nation. Tennis Australia's new CEO, Andrew Abdo, expressed excitement about expanding viewing capacity, seating, and adding more shade at Melbourne Park in 2027.",
  "summary": "The Australian Open's 1 Point Slam will again draw star power in January with Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and Jannik Sinner among the players set to compete against pros and amateur qualifiers for a $1 million prize.",
  "key_points": [
    "Amateur players compete against professionals for $1 million prize",
    "2027 1 Point Slam final features pros vs. amateur qualifiers",
    "Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, and Jannik Sinner among competitors"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The return of the 1 Point Slam gives amateur players another chance to test their skills against top professionals and win big, reinforcing the Australian Open's connection with the broader tennis community.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Australian Open’s 1 Point Slam has Alcaraz, Osaka and Sinner signed up for January’s event",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/australian-opens-1-point-slam-has-alcaraz-osaka-and-sinner-signed-up",
        "published": "2026-10-08T02:14:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Amateur players' chance to win $1m against pros returns to Australian Open",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/amateur-players-chance-to-win-1m-against-pros-returns-to-australian-12779672",
        "published": "2026-10-08T03:41:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "The awkward Sinner slip from the Australian Open’s new boss",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/the-awkward-sinner-slip-from-the-australian-opens-new-boss",
        "published": "2026-10-08T05:18:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "The awkward Sinner slip from the Australian Open’s new boss",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/the-awkward-sinner-slip-from-the-australian-opens-new-boss-12793396",
        "published": "2026-10-08T05:18:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}