One Point Slam adds more firepower as Naomi Osaka, Zheng Qinwen and Auger-Aliassime sign on

The field for the "Million Dollar One Point Slam" continues to grow in prestige as the Australian Open Fan Week approaches, with organizers confirming a host of elite names set to compete for the staggering seven-figure prize. Initially headlined by Carlos Alcaraz and Nick Kyrgios, the novelty event has now secured participation from the sport’s current titans. The unique format, which pits professional stars against amateur qualifiers in single-point duels, has become a focal point of the pre-tournament festivities in Melbourne.

On the men’s side, the roster has been bolstered by the addition of two-time defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner. He will be joined by hard-court specialist and two-time Melbourne runner-up Daniil Medvedev, as well as World No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime. They join the previously announced headliners to form a confirmed group of five marquee men, all vying for the winner-takes-all purse in a format where a single error results in immediate elimination.

The women’s field is equally formidable, featuring World No. 1 and six-time major champion Iga Swiatek. The lineup also includes two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka and American superstar Coco Gauff. Rounding out the new additions are Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen—the 2024 runner-up—and Jasmine Paolini, adding significant depth to the draw. Tennis Australia expects a total of 22 professional players to eventually take the court alongside the amateur hopefuls.

Tennis Australia has aggressively expanded the event following the modest success of the 2025 edition. While last year’s iteration featured Andrey Rublev as the top seed, it was ultimately won by local player Omar Jasika (No. 179), who took home a $60,000 check. This year, the stakes have been raised to $1 million AUD, played under the ruthless format where a game of "rock, paper, scissors" determines the server, and a single point decides the winner on Rod Laver Arena.

The structure of the tournament is designed to bridge the gap between the tour’s elite and the grassroots community. Eight amateur spots have already been filled by State Champions from across Australia, guaranteeing them a chance to stand across the net from Grand Slam legends. To further democratize the field, a qualifying event will be held at Melbourne Park from Monday, January 12 to Wednesday, January 14, offering a final route for amateur players to enter the main draw.

"The strength of the 1 Point Slam Driven by Kia is the mix of the world’s best players and passionate community competitors. Having former AO champion Naomi Osaka and stars like Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev, Jasmine Paolini and Zheng Qinwen lining up alongside State Champions from across Australia makes this a truly unique Australian Open experience."

Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia, highlighted the logistical scale of the event, noting that the "One Point" concept has been embraced by local clubs nationwide. The initiative serves a dual purpose: generating viral moments for Fan Week and driving engagement at the club level. With thousands of entrants in the preliminary stages, the event has evolved from a simple exhibition into a nationwide competition culminating in one of the richest singular points in tennis history.

"It’s been fantastic to see the Australian tennis community get behind the AO 1 Point Slam with more than 235 clubs hosting an event locally and more than 5000 players entering. We can’t wait to see which club will walk away with the $50k tennis grant come January. [...] With qualifying at Melbourne Park opening on Wednesday, there are still plenty of opportunities to win a coveted spot in the main and the chance to win $1 million."