Jannik Sinner comeback tournament confirmed with huge prize on the line
Jannik Sinner will make his return to the court in Australia after signing up for a lucrative tournament at the start of next year. The five-time Grand Slam winner was forced to skip the US Open with a right knee problem and has not played a competitive match since his victory over Alexander Zverev in the Wimbledon final over two months ago. Sinner recently announced that he had been forced to end his season early in order to prioritise his recovery and avoid any further setbacks. As a result, he will miss this week’s Shanghai Masters and the ATP Finals next month.
It has since been revealed that Sinner is planning on making his comeback at the One Point Slam, a unique tournament which takes place in Melbourne in the week leading up to the Australian Open in January.
The
event will see a number of top professionals taking on amateur players and regional champions for a top prize of £527,100. Each match consists of just one point, with the winners advancing and the losers being eliminated.
Last year, local amateur Jordan Smith sensationally upset the star-studded field at the Rod Laver Arena to claim the jackpot for himself.
Sinner will headline the field of professionals alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka, while for the amateurs, qualifying events are already underway at clubs and tennis communities across Australia.
Tom Larner, chief tennis officer at Tennis Australia, commented: “It creates an opportunity for grassroots tennis players to share the spotlight with some of the biggest names in the game.
Having stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and Jannik Sinner locked in to play, alongside everyday Australians … captures exactly what this event is about, bringing people together through tennis.”
Sinner will be hoping to make a full recovery in time for the One Point Slam and the subsequent Australian Open, with just over three months until the action gets underway.
Announcing his break from tennis earlier this month, the Italian said: “Me, together with the doctors, have decided that I need a course of treatment for my knee, which means that the 2026 season is officially over.
“The last couple of years, especially the ending in Turin, gave me so many beautiful feelings and emotions, which this year is going to be way different.
But at the moment I also need to think about my long-term career, so I will do everything possible to get back to 100 per cent.”
Sinner’s extended absence means he will lose top spot in the world rankings to Alexander Zverev, who won the French Open and US Open earlier this year.
