Just one shot at glory for the 1 Point Slam participants at Kaleen District Tennis Club. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
One choice serve on the tennis court could make you a millionaire in one of the Australian Open’s most exciting satellite events — and all that’s standing in the way are the world’s best players.
Right now, tennis clubs, associations, schools and coaches across the country are hosting local ‘1 Point Slam’ events.
Matches are fast – competitors play just one point. A coin toss determines who serves and receives at the beginning of each match.
Whoever wins the point wins the match and progresses to the next round. The player who loses the point is knocked out.
Winners of local 1 Point Slam events will compete in their respective State Championships, earning the chance to win automatic entry into the AO 1 Point Slam Main Draw.
They all hope to reach the blockbuster final — the Million Dollar 1 Point Slam final on 14 January 2026.
The final of the Million Dollar 1 Point Slam will see 24 amateurs and wildcards from across Australia face off with 24 pro players — including world number one, Carlos Alcaraz, at Rod Laver Arena, in a bid to secure the ultimate glory.
ACT clubs have already signed up for 1 Point Slams. The winners of events at Weston Creek Tennis Club, Melba Tennis Club, Kaleen Tennis Club, Tennis World Canberra and Belconnen Tennis Club will proceed to the ACT State Championships at Tennis World Canberra on 20 December.
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley called the 1 Point Slam the “ultimate grassroots-to-Grand Slam experience — fast, unfiltered and open to everyone”.
It’s a good way to put it, according to Get Set Tennis owner Nelson Parker, who organised the 1 Point Slam at Kaleen District Tennis Club.
“A player literally has to score one point — just one — to win,” he says.
“It’s unpredictable that way. A 70-year-old player could serve big, and if the other player can’t return it, they move to the next round. In that way, it’s anyone’s competition.
“In other words, it doesn’t matter if you’re a novice, a young kid with dreams to go pro, a retired coach or just Joe Blow who loves the sport — there are no favourites, and there’s a lot of luck involved. That’s the beauty of a 1 Point Slam.”
As the name implies, the winner will walk away with a cool $1 million, while the host venue represented by the eventual champion – pro, amateur or wildcard – will win a $50,000 tennis grant.
There are no limits on the number of times a participant can enter.
“We’ve already seen some players who have registered in multiple events to increase their chances of getting through,” Parker says.
Aside from a cool million, Parker says the 1 Point Slam format is a recipe for fun.
“Yes, the end prize is epic and high stakes. But this is a tournament designed to be high-energy and very engaging for participants and spectators alike.”
The next ACT 1 Point Slam takes place at Canberra Tennis Centre at Tennis World on Saturday, 6 December. Visit Tennis Australia to find, register or host a local 1 Point Slam.
