Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz to face amateur – Sports News
Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz will compete in opposition to amateurs for a big prize (Image: GETTY)
Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz are among the many prime professionals set to compete in a match in opposition to amateurs for a big prize on the Australian Open.
Per week earlier than the beginning of the 2026 Australian Open, 10 amateurs will face off in opposition to 22 professionals in a knockout format, with every match to one level and a recreation of rock, paper, scissors performed to see who serves or receives. The winner will win $1 million AUD, or roughly $669,925, though they may have to compete in opposition to Alcaraz or Gauff.
Jannik Sinner, Nick Kyrgios, Daniil Medvedev, Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, and Jasmine Paolini, amongst others, will compete within the exhibition earlier than the match. Notably, the winner of the Australian Open will obtain $2.8 million USD ($4.15 million AUD), which is barely more than the $2.6 million USD ($3.9 million AUD) that Alcaraz and Sinner earned for his or her pleasant match.
The closing will probably be performed on Rod Laver Arena on Jan. 14. Australian Open director Craig Tiley defined what followers may count on from the match earlier than it begins.
“The One Point Slam is unlike anything we have ever seen,” Tiley stated in a assertion to TNT Sports.
Carlos Alcaraz was noticed carrying LeBron James’ jersey as he ready for the Australian Open (Image: Getty)
“Having stars like Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner, and Coco Gauff committed to play, alongside everyday Australians qualifying through State Championships, captures exactly what this event is about, bringing people together through tennis in an exciting and inclusive way.”
That stated, whereas the One Point Slam has some excited, others, like Gauff, admitted that she didn’t have the identical enthusiasm. At the United Cup, the American celebrity revealed that it was not she who put her identify to take part; slightly, the match organizers requested for her participation.
“I didn’t, like (laughing) — yeah, they wanted me to. I’m not looking forward to it,” Gauff stated, in accordance to Tennis Infinity. Despite her reticence to compete, the 21-year-old relented, acknowledging that collaborating would help her get into the suitable mindset to compete within the first Grand Slam of the yr.
“Yeah, I mean, I think especially it gets you in the mindset, like being ready,” she continued. “Also, I think it’s great for the sport to have these different things going on. Yeah, the One Point, we’ll see how I do. I’m not very confident in myself. But yeah, I think it’s great.
“Just promotes the more enjoyable aspect of tennis. Obviously, it is going to get fairly critical later on, however I feel it is great for fanfare. It provides the followers a little completely different perspective on the game. Yeah, I attempt to make sure it is simply the correct quantity of issues. I like to simply do one factor, and then after that I attempt to deal with the 2 weeks.”
The One Point Slam will happen on Jan. 14, with the Australian Open starting on Jan. 18.
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