World No. 3 Coco Gauff has confirmed her participation in the $1 million winner-takes-all 1 Point Slam, adding to a busy January schedule as she prepares to defend her United Cup crown and launch a bid for her first Australian Open trophy.
The 21-year-old has already begun pre-season training in Florida and will travel to Australia soon, joining teammate Taylor Fritz as Team USA eyes back-to-back United Cup titles. The duo powered their nation to victory over Poland earlier this year, with Gauff dominant throughout—winning all five singles matches without dropping a set.
Team USA is set to compete from Perth in Group A alongside Spain and Argentina, giving Gauff valuable match practice before shifting focus to Melbourne. With two Grand Slam titles already under her belt—the US Open and French Open—the American hopes to complete the next step in her rise by lifting the trophy at Rod Laver Arena.
Gauff said she’s entering 2026 in “full throttle,” with practice matches lined up as she sharpens her game for a hectic stretch that includes the United Cup, the 1 Point Slam, and the Australian Open.
The 1 Point Slam, scheduled for January 14 at Rod Laver Arena, promises a lightning-fast format where professionals, amateurs, and wildcards compete on equal footing. Top tennis stars including Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Nick Kyrgios have already committed to the blockbuster event.
Gauff finished the 2025 season with a 48–16 record and is poised to challenge Aryna Sabalenka for supremacy in women’s tennis. With elite preparation and a confident mindset, the American prodigy looks set to ignite the Australian summer.
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