🔗 Share this article

Recreational competitors will have the chance to win A$1m when they take on tennis' top professionals - featuring world number one Carlos Alcaraz - in a one-point battle prior to January's Australian Open

Tournament officials of the Melbourne major have revealed the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pair everyday competitors against 22 professionals in a knockout tournament at Melbourne Park

How the Competition Operates

Competitors are set to play 'the decision-making game' to determine who gets to serve or return, and the player who wins the point will advance to the next round

The victor of the event will earn £490,000

Contextually, players who advanced to the final four of the primary tournaments in the previous year's tournament won substantial prize money

Past Comparable Tournaments

The US Open organized a redesigned, standalone mixed doubles tournament in August which motivated top singles players to compete, with the victors receiving a million-dollar prize

The Melbourne tournament held its debut single-point competition this year, but the prize fund was sixty thousand Australian dollars and it received minimal attention

The Russian player was the only top-10 player participating, and his run finished when he put the single service opportunity permitted into the net in his last eight match

Event Specifics

Planners have not said exactly how the event will work, but it is expected to mirror a akin setup to the most recent iteration

The professionals will be granted to make one service and the everyday players twice - as is the norm in conventional tennis

While it is unclear how the bracket will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the site will be the main stadium rather than the alternative court

The concluding rounds will take place in a evening slot instead of early afternoon

Competitor Details

Local players - or foreign participants who have registered with the national federation - can compete in 'quick-match event' events at their community centers

The winners of the local competitions will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every geographic division selected to compete in the 'championship round' in a nighttime event on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a preliminary competition in the final month which everyday players, lower ranked pros, celebrities and sports personalities can enter

It commences on early January and the successful competitors will go into the following day's 'championship match' with the other eight amateurs and top-ranked athletes

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the overall victor will walk away with the award. Applications will begin shortly at venues across the country"

Competition planners mentioned there were "more big names to be unveiled imminently", while the official website mentioned "famous personalities" would be taking part