Coco Gauff opens up about her hesitation over tennis’ most extreme gamble, a $1 million single-point showdown, as the 2026 Australian Open draws closer. Speaking during Team USA’s United Cup media duties, the American star acknowledged that while she is officially listed for the Opening Week exhibition known as the 1 Point Slam, excitement is not exactly the word she would use.
Coco Gauff and Team USA Begin Their 2026 Journey at the United Cup
The conversation unfolded at the United Cup, an early-season tournament that has quickly earned a reputation for blending high-level competition with a team-first atmosphere.
Played across Perth and Sydney from Jan. 2 to 11, the event places ATP and WTA players side by side, competing for national pride rather than ranking points.
For the United States, the 2026 edition carries added significance as the defending champions, with Gauff and Taylor Fritz leading a roster that also includes Mackenzie McDonald, Varvara Lepchenko, Christian Harrison, Nicole Melichar-Martinez, and captain Michael Russell.
Team USA opened Group A play against Argentina, navigating a tight tie that was ultimately decided in doubles after Gauff delivered a dominant singles win.
Team USA opened against Argentina, and the tie followed a dramatic script. Fritz dropped the first singles rubber to Sebastián Báez, losing 6-4, 5-7, 4-6. That set the stage for Gauff, who responded with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Solana Sierra to level the tie.
The group contest was ultimately decided in doubles, where Gauff partnered with Christian Harrison to secure a 6-4, 6-1 win against María Lourdes Carlé and Guido Andreozzi.
How Did Gauff Respond to Being Listed for the 1 Point Slam Exhibition?
During the post-match press conference following that opening Group A victory, Gauff was asked about her name appearing on the entry list for the 1 Point Slam, a winner-takes-all exhibition scheduled for the Opening Week of the Australian Open.
Gauff responded with a laugh, saying she had not exactly volunteered for the event and admitting she was not looking forward to it. “I didn’t, like,” she said, laughing, before adding, “Yeah, they wanted me to. I’m not looking forward to it, but…”
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Her hesitation stood out given the event’s winner-takes-all $1 million prize and its lineup, which includes Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Nick Kyrgios, Iga Świątek, Naomi Osaka, Daniil Medvedev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Zheng Qinwen, and Jasmine Paolini.
The exhibition, held at Rod Laver Arena during Australian Open Opening Week, reduces tennis to a single rally with no safety net, no sets, and no second chances. It does not contribute to rankings and exists solely for entertainment purposes.
Looking ahead, Team USA is set to face Spain in the final group tie, with the tie opening as Fritz takes on Jaume Munar in the first singles match before Gauff steps on court to face Jéssica Bouzas Maneiro in the second singles rubber.
