The Australian Open’s One Point Slam was, by all accounts, a huge success.
With a A$1,000,000 prize up for grabs, amateurs and professionals clashed in a knockout competition in front of a captivated crowd on Rod Laver Arena.
Australian amateur Jordan Smith ultimately emerged victorious, beating Jannik Sinner and Amanda Ansimova en route to the life-changing cheque.
Roger Federer said he found the One Point Slam ‘hilarious’, stating that he enjoyed how nervous the players were.
Women’s world number three Coco Gauff was also a fan, but the American suggested she would make one change to the event.
Coco Gauff gives her opinion on the One Point Slam
In her pre-tournament press conference, Gauff said of the One Point Slam: “It was really cool. No, I have to redeem myself. I will play [next year], for sure.”
Gauff lost in the second round of the tournament, falling to Donna Vekic after she hit a fault.
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“I didn’t expect to win,” explained the two-time major champion. “I was telling everyone that that was not going to happen. People were like, What are you going to do with the money? It’s not going to me.
“I did say I wanted an amateur to win. I think the best-case scenario happened. We had an amateur in the finals versus Joanna, who became like a celebrity overnight, which I think was really cool.
“I thought that was cool because you got to hear stories that you would never hear. My only… not complaint, but like I watched the qualifying rounds, because my hitting partner was doing it.
“I think people had to make six rounds to make it Rod Laver. I think that was a little bit a lot. There were a couple cool stories that were from the qualifying rounds that I was there that I wish some people got to see on Rod Laver.
“There was a guy promoting paraplegic tennis. No one saw him. There was another older lady who had the best outfit. I think the qualifying rounds for the real amateurs, ’cause there were some fake amateurs, my hitting partner was an amateur and he was 200 in the world.
“For the real amateurs, I think they should have a little less strenuous qualifying process. They may not win, but seeing those stories on Laver would be cool. That was a long answer.”
Coco Gauff’s first opponent at the 2026 Australian Open
Gauff will now set her sights on the main draw of the 2026 Australian Open, in which she is on a collision course with some tough opponents.
The 21-year-old finds herself in the same quarter of the draw as Marketa Vondrousova, Mirra Andreeva, and Emma Navarro.
How far do you think Coco Gauff will go with this draw?
Her first assignment, however, comes in the form of Kamilla Rakhimova; the world number 55.
Gauff and Rakhimova have faced each other at a tour-level event just once before, with the two having clashed at the 2025 China Open.
There, Gauff came out on top in straight sets, beating the 24-year-old 6-4, 6-0.
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