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Everyday tennis enthusiasts will have the possibility to earn A$1m when they face world-class athletes - featuring world number one Carlos Alcaraz - in a one-point battle prior to January's Australian Open

Tournament officials of the Melbourne major have unveiled the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pair a dozen non-professionals against top-ranked players in a single-elimination format at Melbourne Park

This Innovative Event Will Work

Competitors are set to play 'the decision-making game' to decide who gets to serve or return, and whoever wins the point will advance to the subsequent phase

The champion of the event will receive a significant cash prize

Contextually, players who advanced to the final four of the men's or women's singles in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Past Similar Events

The New York major staged a redesigned, standalone mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which prompted top singles players to compete, with the winners receiving one million US dollars

The Australian Open held its first-ever single-point competition this year, but the total purse was a smaller amount and it had limited exposure

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor involved, and his progress concluded when he directed the single service opportunity granted failing to clear the net in his quarter-final

Tournament Information

Officials have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is expected to emulate a similar format to the previous version

The elite players will be permitted to have a single serve and the everyday players twice - as is the norm in standard play

While it is unclear how the bracket will work, there will be several competitive phases and the location will be the primary court rather than the alternative court

The final stages will take place in a night session instead of 1pm local time

Competitor Information

Any Australians - or international players who have enrolled with Tennis Australia - can enter 'One Point Slam' competitions at their neighborhood facilities

The victors of the community events will then go into a random pairing, with a single non-professional from every state and territory picked to participate in the 'grand finale' in a nighttime event on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a entry tournament in late year which non-professionals, lower ranked pros, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can enter

It starts on the starting date and the successful competitors will advance to Wednesday's 'championship match' with the remaining non-professionals and top-ranked athletes

"Regardless of your skill level, the ultimate winner will walk away with the reward. Entries will open soon at clubs nationwide"

Tournament officials stated there were "more big names to be unveiled imminently", while the tournament site indicated "well-known figures" would be taking part