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Amateur players are being offered the chance to claim A$1m when they take on tennis' top professionals - headed by world number one the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point prior to the Australian Grand Slam

Event planners of the Australian Open have announced the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will match 10 amateur players against elite athletes in a single-elimination format at the tournament grounds

This Innovative Event Will Work

Participants must play 'the classic hand game' 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 earn a significant cash prize

Contextually, 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 Similar Events

The American Grand Slam hosted a revamped, standalone mixed doubles tournament in August which prompted top singles players to take part, with the victors receiving $1m

The year's first major held its debut quick-fire event this year, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it generated little publicity

One top competitor was the single high-ranked athlete involved, and his run finished when he directed the one and only serve allowed failing to clear the net in his penultimate round

Tournament Information

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

The top competitors will be permitted to have a single serve and the non-professionals two times - as is the standard practice in standard play

While it is uncertain how the bracket will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the location will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The concluding rounds will take place in a night session instead of 1pm local time

Participation Requirements

Domestic competitors - or foreign participants who have enrolled with the governing body - can compete in 'single-point competition' tournaments at their local tennis clubs

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with one amateur player from every region and area picked to take part in the 'championship round' in a nighttime event on mid-January

There will also be a entry tournament in December which non-professionals, aspiring competitors, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can compete in

It commences on Monday, 12 January and the pair of champions will advance to the midweek 'grand finale' with the remaining non-professionals and elite competitors

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the overall victor will walk away with the reward. Registrations will open soon at clubs throughout the nation"

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