Amateur players are getting the chance to earn a seven-figure prize when they take on world-class athletes - including world number one Carlos Alcaraz - in a single-point showdown before January's Australian Open
Event planners of the Melbourne major have revealed the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will match a dozen non-professionals against top-ranked players in a knockout tournament at the tournament grounds
This Innovative Competition Operates
Competitors are set to play 'the classic hand game' to determine who gets to serve or return, and the competitor securing the point will move forward to the next round
The winner of the event will earn £490,000
Contextually, players who advanced to the semi-finals of the primary tournaments in the 2025 Australian Open won over a million Australian dollars
Previous Similar Events
The New York major staged a restructured, independent combined gender tournament in August which prompted top singles players to compete, with the champions receiving a million-dollar prize
The Australian Open held its first-ever quick-fire event this year, but the prize fund was sixty thousand Australian dollars and it received minimal attention
Andrey Rublev was the only top-10 player participating, and his run came to an end when he sent the one and only serve permitted into the net in his quarter-final
Competition Information
Planners have not said exactly how the event will operate, but it is anticipated to emulate a comparable structure to the most recent iteration
The top competitors will be permitted to serve once and the amateurs twice - as is the norm in conventional tennis
While it is unclear how the draw will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the site will be the main stadium rather than the secondary venue
The concluding rounds will be held in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing
Competitor Details
Local players - or international players who have signed up with the governing body - can enter 'quick-match event' tournaments at their neighborhood facilities
The champions of the local competitions will then go into a random pairing, with one amateur player from every region and area chosen to compete in the 'grand finale' in a evening match on mid-January
There will also be a preliminary competition in late year which amateurs, developing professionals, well-known figures and sports personalities can compete in
It begins on the starting date and the two winners will advance to the midweek 'championship match' with the remaining non-professionals and top-ranked athletes
"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the final champion will claim the prize. Entries will open soon at venues across the country"
Tournament officials mentioned there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the official website mentioned "famous personalities" would be involved
