While the Australian Open main draw is still a few days away from beginning, Tennis Australia’s revamped “1 Point Slam” has already arrived. The innovative event features a host of top players, who will take on both each other and fans in matches that last a single point, as the name suggests.
Here is a complete guide on how to watch and understand one of the most talked-about initiatives introduced by a Slam this year.
Players and Format
A host of Major champions will be taking part in the event, including current ATP World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz and World No.2 Jannik Sinner. On the WTA side, star power is equally strong, with Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Naomi Osaka all confirmed to compete in this year’s edition of the 1 Point Slam, which will be played at Rod Laver Arena.
The tournament will feature a 32-player draw made up of 20 professional players, 10 from the ATP and 10 from the WTA, as well as 12 fans. The fans will be selected through a specific process designed by Tennis Australia.
Rules
To make the event as entertaining as possible, several unique rules have been introduced.
- All fans will play their first match against a professional player, ensuring that every fan gets the experience of competing against a Tour-level athlete.
- As the name indicates, each match is decided by a single point, with the winner of that point advancing.
- The right to serve is decided by Rock-Paper-Scissors rather than a traditional coin toss.
- Fans are allowed two serves, while professional players are limited to just one serve.
Prize Money
The winner of the event will receive an eye-catching AUD 1 million in prize money for just a handful of points won. This marks a significant increase compared to last year’s edition.
Time and Where to Watch
The event will begin on Wednesday, January 14, at 7:00 PM local time in Melbourne, which corresponds to 3:00 AM in New York and 8:00 AM in London.
In the United States, the full event will be broadcast live on TennisChannel. International streaming will also be available through leading global sports broadcasters and platforms.
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