Zheng Qinwen to join Osaka, Alcaraz in 1 Point Slam before Australian Open
Olympic champion to play in A$1 million sudden-death exhibition event after months out with elbow injury
China’s Zheng Qinwen will resume her comeback at an exhibition event with a difference on the eve of next month’s Australian Open: a tournament consisting of one-point matches.
Zheng, who had surgery on a troublesome right elbow in July and has barely played since, will join the likes of Naomi Osaka, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the AO 1 Point Slam at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.
Ten amateur players will try their luck against 22 professionals in knockout rounds, with “rock, paper, scissors” deciding who serves in each sudden-death point. The winner will take home A$1 million (US$671,000) – only slightly less than the A$1.1 million earned by singles semi-finalists at the last Australian Open proper.
The day before the 1 Point Slam on January 14, Olympic champion Zheng will play an exhibition match against Elena Rybakina as she gears up for the Australian Open itself, which will be held from January 18 to February 1.
Melbourne will see the latest attempt at a return to action for Zheng, who underwent elbow surgery after Wimbledon, missing over two months of competition and skipping the US Open.