Overview
- The upgraded pre-Open event offered a winner-take-all A$1 million purse in a primetime Rod Laver Arena slot after a low-key debut last year.
- Sydney qualifier Jordan Smith upset Jannik Sinner on his path and then defeated Joanna Garland in the final to claim the jackpot.
- Each match was decided by a single point with serve determined by rock-paper-scissors or a coin toss, with amateurs getting two serves and professionals only one.
- High-profile stumbles under the one-serve rule included netted serves by Sinner and Coco Gauff, while Maria Sakkari beat Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek ousted Flavio Cobolli and Frances Tiafoe.
- The 48-player field blended 24 ATP/WTA stars with qualifiers and celebrities and was streamed by the Australian Open as part of its expanded opening-week programming.