TikTokification of the sport brings in crowds with Tennis Australia as big a winner as new millionaire
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29-year-old tennis coach from Sydney won the inaugural One Point Slam at the Australian Open and its A$1m prize on Wednesday, after upstaging a field that included Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff.
It is Tennis Australia, however, which won the jackpot, after the new concept – despite its near three-hour duration, often confusing format and awkward exchanges between players – attracted a full house to Rod Laver Arena during opening week as organisers look at non‑traditional ways to attract fans to Melbourne Park.
It was a knockout tournament with a difference, one in which each tie was determined by a single point. To assist the amateurs, the professionals in the field were given only a single serve. And to decide the server, a game of rock‑paper‑scissors was held before each point.
