Canberra tennis talent Ashleigh Simes has secured a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete for a $1 million prize at next month's Australian Open. The 22-year-old earned her spot by winning the ACT championship of the Million Dollar One Point Slam at the Canberra Tennis Centre on Saturday.
The Terrifying One-Point Format
Simes describes the high-stakes concept as "terrifying," a stark contrast to traditional match play where losing a single point can be brushed aside. The unique event reduces the game to its most basic element: one point decides everything. A game of "rock, paper, scissors" will determine who serves, and the winner of that single point progresses to the next round. This continues until one player emerges victorious from the final match under the lights of Rod Laver Arena on January 14.
"I'm so used to playing matches where if you lose one point, you're told to brush it off and it's no big deal," Simes admitted. "Here, it's one point and it's basically all or nothing." The event will feature a 48-player field comprising professionals, amateurs, and celebrity wildcards, meaning Simes could theoretically face global superstars like Aryna Sabalenka or Novak Djokovic for the monumental payday.
A Homecoming and a Springboard
For Simes, the victory is a perfect homecoming. Having recently graduated from college in the United States in May and spending time training in Europe, she now gets to prepare for the Open by playing in her hometown. Her win comes as Canberra gears up to host the combined ATP 125 and WTA 125 Canberra International in January, a tournament offering a $700,000 prize pool and expected to deliver over $2 million in economic impact to the region.
The Canberra International, which will be broadcast on Channel Nine platforms for the first time, is headlined by former world No.4 Kei Nishikori, former world No.7 David Goffin, and Australian Destanee Aiava. Tournament director Lawrence Robertson touted the event as a launchpad for future stars, citing Brazil's Joao Fonseca—who won last year's event and now holds a career-high ranking of 24—as proof of its significance.
Nerves and Excitement for a Dream Opportunity
Despite the nerves, Simes is embracing the extraordinary chance to step onto the same court as the world's best. "I've always wanted to go down there and play there. This is just as good," she said. "Getting to see the players and be around the players, and be on the same court as a pro would be super exciting."
She approached the ACT championship with a mindset of fun, which ultimately paid off. "I wanted to come here and have a bit of fun with it, so that was my energy towards today," Simes reflected. "The one-point slam state championships, it was a lot of pressure and I think everyone was feeling the nerves quite a bit. It was definitely a good day, a good experience." Now, with her place booked, all focus shifts to Melbourne and a potential million-dollar point.
