The Australian Open held its inaugural One Level Slam occasion in 2025, however the prize fund was A$60,000 (£29,400) and it generated little publicity.
Russia’s Andrey Rublev was the one top-10 participant concerned, and his run got here to an finish when he put his one and solely serve into the web in his quarter-final.
The competitors was received by Australian skilled Omar Jasika after 16 amateurs – eight males and eight girls aged between 15 and 72 – have been pitted towards 16 professionals.
It’s the newest try by tennis authorities to attract eyeballs to the game after the 2025 US Open launched a standalone combined doubles championship earlier than the primary draw.
That occasion pitched collectively pairs corresponding to Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, and Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, however was received by doubles specialists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.
Explaining the reasoning behind the weird One Level Slam, event director Craig Tiley mentioned: “Having stars like Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff dedicated to play, alongside on a regular basis Australians qualifying by state championships, captures precisely what this occasion is about, bringing individuals collectively by tennis in an thrilling and inclusive means.”
This text is the newest from BBC Sport’s Ask Me Something workforce.
