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Recreational competitors are getting an opportunity to earn a seven-figure prize when they take on world-class athletes - featuring leading player Carlos Alcaraz - in a one-point battle before January's Australian Open

Tournament officials of the Melbourne major have announced the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pit 10 amateur players against top-ranked players in a elimination competition at the Australian Open venue

The Unique Tournament Functions

Players will play 'rock, paper, scissors' to establish who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will advance to the next round

The champion of the event will receive approximately half a million pounds

For comparison, players who made it to the semi-finals of the men's or women's singles in the 2025 Australian Open won over a million Australian dollars

Previous Related Competitions

The American Grand Slam hosted a redesigned, independent mixed doubles tournament in late summer which motivated top singles players to compete, with the victors receiving one million US dollars

The Australian Open held its debut quick-fire event in the current season, but the cash prize was A$60,000 and it received minimal attention

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor competing, and his run finished when he sent the sole serving chance allowed failing to clear the net in his quarter-final

Event Details

Organizers have not said exactly how the event will work, but it is expected to follow a similar format to the previous version

The elite players will be allowed to serve once and the amateurs twice - as is the norm in conventional tennis

While it is not certain how the draw will work, there will be several competitive phases and the venue will be the main stadium rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The concluding rounds will take place in a night session instead of midday timing

Entry Requirements

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have enrolled with the national federation - can compete in 'One Point Slam' tournaments at their community centers

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a random pairing, with an everyday competitor from every geographic division picked to take part in the 'final competition' in a night session on the specified date

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

It begins on early January and the two winners will go into the following day's 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and elite competitors

"No matter your experience, the overall victor will walk away with the prize. Entries will start imminently at clubs across the country"

Tournament officials stated there were "more big names to be unveiled imminently", while the tournament site mentioned "celebrities" would be taking part