The Australian Open will host a pro-amateur event at Rod Laver Arena on January 14. There are 48 participants in the One Point Slam, where one point determines the winner.
Whoever wins the event will also receive a very nice check just before the Australian Open, as the winner will be rewarded with $1 million.
Before Zheng, Osaka and Paolini, several other star names confirmed their One Slam Point participation: Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Lorenzo Musetti, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alex de Minaur.
“The strength of the 1 Point Slam Driven by Kia is its mix of the world’s best players and passionate community participants. Having former AO champion Naomi Osaka and stars such as Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev, Jasmine Paolini and Zheng Qinwen alongside state champions from across Australia makes this a truly unique Australian Open experience,” said Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley.
Zheng was scheduled to play two exhibitions at Melbourne Park
After undergoing surgery on her right elbow in July and returning to action unsuccessfully in late September, Zheng decided to end her 2025 season. The Chinese chose not to play any WTA tournaments in the first two weeks because she wanted to give herself more time to recover.
However, Zheng will not be out of action in the first Grand Slam of the year as she will play Elena Rybakina in an exhibition match at Rod Laver Arena on January 13. The next day, the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist will get more action in the One Point Slam.
Zheng reached her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open in 2024 before losing to Aryna Sabalenka. The Chinese struggled with an injury at the beginning of 2025 and lost in the second round at Melbourne Park.
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