Nick Kyrgios will make his long-awaited return to Rod Laver Arena this summer, headlining a star-studded Australian Open Opening Week that also features World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz, World No.2 Jannik Sinner and a host of other top-10 stars.
The centrepiece of the expanded Opening Week, is the second edition of the 1 Point Slam on Wednesday 14 January. Forty-eight players – including 24 professionals, state and territory champions, qualifiers and celebrity wildcards – will compete in a high-stakes, single-point knockout format for a $1 million winner-takes-all prize. Kia will also award a brand-new EV3 to the last amateur standing.
Kyrgios and Alcaraz are the first big names confirmed for the unique event, with more major stars and top women to be revealed in the coming weeks.
“Opening Week in 2026 is set to be our most ambitious yet,” said Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley. “Fans will see the world’s best players in must-see showdowns alongside the edge-of-your-seat intensity of the 1 Point Slam – world-class tennis at remarkable value from day one.”
The week will feature four consecutive nights of primetime action on Rod Laver Arena, with all proceeds from the charity showdowns going to the Australian Tennis Foundation (ATF).
Opening Week Schedule – Rod Laver Arena
Tuesday 13 January – Alexander Zverev (No.3) vs Lorenzo Musetti (No.8)
Wednesday 14 January – 1 Point Slam Driven by Kia (featuring Alcaraz, Kyrgios and more)
Thursday 15 January – Carlos Alcaraz (No.1) vs Alex de Minaur (No.6)
Friday 16 January – Jannik Sinner (No.2) vs Félix Auger-Aliassime (No.5), followed by the return of Red Bull BassLine
Should an amateur win the 1 Point Slam, Tennis Australia will donate an additional $1 million to the ATF, which has already helped more than 50,000 disadvantaged children access tennis.
The entire Melbourne Park precinct will be activated from the first day, with AO qualifying, Kids Tennis Day presented by Emirates, live entertainment and fan experiences running alongside the night-session spectacle.
After a breakout debut in 2025, Red Bull BassLine – the innovative tennis-meets-music event – returns on Friday night with special guest performances promised to be “even louder” than last year.
With Kyrgios back on the biggest stage in Australian tennis and a lineup boasting six top-10 men (and more big names still to come), the 2026 Australian Open is shaping up for its most explosive start ever.
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