Carlos Alcaraz to Play Amateurs in Million Dollar 1 Point Slam Before 2026 Australian Open

The Australian Open has introduced a new exhibition event- Million Dollar 1 Point Slam, which will be held during the Opening Week of next year’s Australian Open. To give the fans more “spectacular AO experience”, the Australian Open has come up with the idea of making professional players lock horns with amateurs.

And the player who for sure will attract a great deal of attention- the charismatic Carlos Alcaraz– has already signed up for the exhibition event. The event will see 22 professional players compete against 10 amateurs.

I can reveal today that World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz will headline the pro player line-up in the Million Dollar 1 Point Slam – a thrilling new initiative where one point could win you $1 million. Whether you’re an amateur or a pro, the ultimate winner will walk away with the prize. Entries will open soon at clubs across the country, and during Opening Week, finalists will compete for a chance to face the pros on Rod Laver Arena.

Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said (via Australian Open)

‘Rock, paper, scissors’ will decide who serves first. Players who win the matches will progress to the next round. The one who wins the final point will receive $1 million prize money.

People from all across Australia can play in the event after the qualification round. The final will be held in the famous Rod Laver Arena.

Craig Tiley on Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s rivalry

Craig Tiley, like many from the tennis world, is convinced that the rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will define the sport. Sinner will join Novak Djokovic if he completes the three-peat in Melbourne. Alcaraz will become the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam if he clinches his first title at the Major Down Under.

We’re witnessing the birth of what could be the greatest rivalry tennis has ever seen. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are pushing each other to extraordinary levels. They force each other to new heights every time they compete; their contrasting styles make for electric matches, and they both fight to the final point. This is a rivalry that could define the sport for years to come.

Craig Tiley said (via Australian Open)

Alcaraz and Sinner will be next seen in action at the Six Kings Slam, an exhibition event in Riyadh, for the $6 million prize money, which the latter pocketed last year by going past the six-time Grand Slam champion. At present, the Shanghai Masters is underway.

Alcaraz withdrew from the tournament, citing an ankle injury that he suffered during his maiden appearance at the Japan Open. He ended the tournament in his favor by beating Taylor Fritz.

Sinner started his title defense against Daniel Altmaier, but cramps forced him to hand the walkover to Tallon Griekspoor in the third round. After the Six Kings Slam, the four-time Grand Slam champion will be playing the Vienna Open, where in 2023, he beat Daniil Medvedev to clinch the title.

Alcaraz’s next official event is the Paris Masters, but Sinner’s participation is uncertain. The former lost to Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round last year, while the latter had skipped it.

Alcaraz has so far played 10 finals, winning eight titles this year, including the French Open and the US Open by beating Sinner. The World No.2 clinched three titles from seven finals, losing four at the hands of Alcaraz. Because Sinner could not defend his Shanghai Masters title, it has become nothing but tough for him to dethrone Alcaraz from the top. Sinner lost his No.1 ranking after his US Open defeat.

Also read: Alexander Zverev Makes Explosive Statements About his Form and Health After Shanghai Exit

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