{"id":982959,"date":"2026-08-05T19:39:24","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T19:39:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/982959\/"},"modified":"2026-08-05T19:39:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T19:39:24","slug":"million-dollar-1-point-slam-set-to-return-to-the-australian-open-in-2027","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/982959\/","title":{"rendered":"Million-dollar 1 Point Slam set to return to the Australian Open in 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) \u2014 The million-dollar 1 Point Slam<\/a> is returning to the first Grand Slam tennis<\/a> tournament of 2027.<\/p>\n

Australian Open organizers announced Wednesday that the crowd favorite<\/a> from last January would again be offering a top prize of a million Australian dollars ($705,000 at current exchange rates) when it is held next year before the Jan. 17-31 main draw at Melbourne Park.<\/p>\n

Jordan Smith, a little-known local amateur player beat Jannik Sinner and went on to make himself a millionaire<\/a> in Australian dollars after winning the 1 Point Slam. The Australian won on the third stroke of the final when Joanna Garland, the women\u2019s No. 117 from Taiwan, sent a two-handed backhand wide.<\/p>\n

All the matches lasted just one single point in a knockout bracket that included men and women, professionals and amateurs, plus celebrities such as Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou, who was knocked out without hitting a ball after an ace from Petar Jovic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The event also included Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Alexander Zverev and Naomi Osaka.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy journey started at a qualifying event at Sydney Olympic Park \u2014 I never expected it would lead to me stepping onto Rod Laver Arena and competing against world-class players, let alone walking away as the winner. It completely changed my life,\u201d Smith said in an Australian Open statement Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year we\u2019ll be hosting an event at our own club and hopefully inspiring more players to give it a go, just like I did. You never know where it might take you,\u201d Smith added. <\/p>\n

From next week, affiliated clubs, associations, coaches and partner schools across Australia can register their interest to host a 1 Point Slam qualifying event in the leadup to the Melbourne Park final.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP tennis: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/tennis<\/a><\/p>\n