Despite once again choosing not to play an official tournament in the lead-up to the Australian Open, both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will still be competing in Australia before the first Major of the year. The two leaders of the current ATP Tour landscape are set to headline Tennis Australia\u2019s revamped 1-Point Slam, an exhibition-style event offering a prize purse of one million Australian dollars.<\/p>\n
They will be joined by Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, two of the world\u2019s top three-ranked WTA players, in an event designed to bridge the gap between players and fans through a fast-paced, interactive format.<\/p>\n
What Is the 1-Point Slam?<\/p>\n
The 1-Point Slam<\/a> is a fan-engagement event organised by Tennis Australia as part of its Australian Open lead-up activities. Each match consists of just a single point, with the winner of that point advancing \u2014 a format that prioritises entertainment, unpredictability, and fan interaction.<\/p>\n After its trial run in 2025, Tennis Australia has taken significant steps in 2026 to improve the event. The professional field has been strengthened to 22 players, alongside ten amateurs, replacing last year\u2019s 50\u201350 split. A substantial increase in prize money has also helped attract elite talent, with four top-three ranked players across the ATP and WTA Tours committing this time around<\/a>.<\/p>\n The final will be staged in a night session at Rod Laver Arena on January 14, a notable upgrade from its inaugural edition, which was held at the Kia Arena.<\/p>\n Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n Alcaraz and Sinner\u2019s Similar Path to Melbourne<\/p>\n Both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will arrive in Melbourne chasing different pieces of history. Sinner is aiming for a historic third consecutive Australian Open<\/a> title, while Alcaraz will be looking to become the youngest men\u2019s player to complete the Career Grand Slam.<\/p>\n