Rock, paper, scissors & millionaire: Aus Open's Million-Dollar 1 Point Slam

The Australian Open is bringing back one of its most talked-about innovations after confirming that the Million-Dollar 1 Point Slam will return during the tournament's Opening Week in 2027. Tournament organisers announced on Wednesday that the fan-favourite exhibition event will once again offer a staggering AUD 1 million (approximately USD 705,000) to the winner ahead of the year's first Grand Slam, which runs from January 17 to 31 at Melbourne Park.The announcement follows the overwhelming success of the inaugural edition, where an unknown local amateur stunned some of tennis' biggest names to walk away with a life-changing prize.From amateur to millionaireThe debut edition produced one of the most remarkable stories of the 2026 Australian Open. Local amateur Jordan Smith defied the odds by eliminating World No. 1 Jannik Sinner before going all the way to claim the AUD 1 million prize. Smith secured the title after Taiwan's Joanna Garland sent a two-handed backhand wide on just the third shot of the final point, instantly turning the Australian into a millionaire.One point decides everythingUnlike conventional tennis tournaments, the 1 Point Slam is built entirely around sudden death.Every match consists of just one point. Before play begins, the two competitors decide the server through a game of rock, paper, scissors. The chosen server gets only one opportunity to put the ball in play. A fault, double fault or let that fails to land legally results in immediate elimination. Once the serve is in, the rally continues until the point is won, with the victor progressing to the next round. The knockout format creates constant jeopardy, ensuring every shot carries enormous significance.Tennis stars, amateurs and celebrities on one courtOne of the biggest attractions of the event is its diverse field. The tournament features professional players, local amateurs and celebrities competing in the same draw. Last year's edition included Grand Slam champions Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and Alexander Zverev, while Taiwanese music superstar Jay Chou also took part.Chou's campaign ended almost instantly after he was knocked out by an ace from Petar Jovic without managing to hit a single ball, a moment that perfectly captured the drama and unpredictability of the format.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.