After the “One Point Slam”, here is the “Bracket Challenge”. Eager to propose innovative initiatives in 2026, the Australian Open is multiplying new concepts a few days before the start of the first Grand Slam lift of the season (January 18 – February 1).
While Jordan Smith, Australian amateur player, distinguished himself by winning one million Australian dollars this Wednesday, January 14 by beating some of the biggest names on the ATP and WTA circuits by one point, it is now the fans who will have an opportunity to win the jackpot.
The concept of the “Bracket Challenge” is simple: participants who manage to predict without the slightest error the entirety of one of the two singles draws of the tournament will win 10 million Australian dollars, or 5,740,000 euros.
Not yet possible for French fans
If none succeed, “consolation prizes will be awarded to those with the highest scores, with $10,000 for the best male and female participants,” explains the Australian Open on its website.
Aimed to “create an exciting new way for fans to engage with the tournament”, as put forward by Cedric Cornelis, Chief Commercial Officer of Tennis Australia, in a statement, the “Bracket Challenge” nevertheless feels like a mission impossible.
Indeed, the chances of achieving a “perfect” over the 127 matches are… 1.7×10 to the power of 38, according to a calculation carried out by L’Équipe. Suffice to say that the challenge promises to be even tougher than that taken on by Jordan Smith on the Rod Laver Arena this Wednesday!
Unfortunately, French followers will not be able to try their luck, since the challenge is reserved for Australian residents for this first edition. However, the Grand Slam plans to extend the initiative “internationally” in the future.
