<p>The <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/events/australian-open">Australian Open 2026</a> will feature a groundbreaking event during Opening Week as world number one Carlos Alcaraz headlines the Million Dollar 1 Point Slam, taking place on Wednesday, January 14, at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.</p> <p>This first-of-its-kind competition will see 22 professional tennis players mix with 10 amateur players in a knockout tournament where each match is decided by a single point. The winner takes home AUS$1 million).</p> <p>The event is part of an expanded Opening Week presented by Herald Sun, running from January 12-17, which marks a significant evolution for the tournament.</p> <p>Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley revealed that the entire precinct will be open from day one, with free entry for kids and nightly live music performances.</p> <h2>What Is the Million Dollar 1 Point Slam?</h2> <p>The tournament structure is simple yet thrilling. Each match consists of just one point, with players competing in a game of 'rock, paper, scissors' beforehand to determine who serves and who receives. Win the point, win the match, and advance to the next round.</p> <p>Eight amateurs will qualify through events in each Australian state and territory, while two additional spots will be available during Opening Week itself.</p> <p>Entries are expected to open soon at clubs across the country, giving everyday tennis enthusiasts a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to face the world's best.</p> <p>Carlos Alcaraz is the confirmed headliner, with 21 other professional players set to be announced. The Spanish star currently holds the world number one ranking and is a four-time Grand Slam champion, having won titles at the US Open, Wimbledon (twice), and the French Open.</p> <p>While the full roster of professionals remains under wraps, speculation is mounting that defending Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner could also participate.</p> <p>The Italian world number two returns to Melbourne aiming to defend his title for the second consecutive year, having defeated Alexander Zverev in straight sets (6-3, 7-6, 6-3) in the 2025 final.</p> <p>Tournament Director Craig Tiley has praised the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry as potentially "the greatest rivalry tennis has ever seen," noting that both players push each other to extraordinary levels with their contrasting styles.</p> <p>The format follows inspiration from the US Open's successful mixed doubles experiment in August 2025, which paired top singles players and drew 78,000 fans during fan week, with matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium selling out. The Australian Open drew 1.2 million fans in 2025, and organisers are aiming to surpass this record in 2026.</p> <p>Interestingly, this isn't the first time the Australian Open has experimented with the 1 Point Slam concept. In 2025, world number 14 Andrey Rublev competed in a similar event with a prize of AUS$60,000, though his campaign ended disappointingly when he hit his serve into the net in the quarter-finals.</p>