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Everyday tennis enthusiasts will have an opportunity to claim A$1m when they compete against tennis' top professionals - including leading player Carlos Alcaraz - in a one-point battle leading up to January's Australian Open

Event planners of the Australian Open have revealed the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pit everyday competitors against 22 professionals in a single-elimination format at Melbourne Park

How the Competition Operates

Competitors are set to play 'the decision-making game' to establish who takes the serve or return position, and the competitor securing the point will progress to the next round

The winner of the event will receive a significant cash prize

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

Earlier Comparable Tournaments

The US Open organized a redesigned, separate mixed doubles tournament in late summer which motivated top singles players to compete, with the champions receiving $1m

The year's first major held its inaugural single-point competition this year, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it received minimal attention

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor competing, and his run finished when he directed the single service opportunity allowed into the net in his quarter-final

Tournament Specifics

Planners have not specified precisely how the event will work, but it is anticipated to follow a comparable structure to the previous version

The elite players will be allowed to make one service and the everyday players twice - as is the norm in standard play

While it is not certain how the pairings will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the location will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the secondary venue

The final stages will occur in a evening slot instead of 1pm local time

Participation Requirements

Local players - or international players who have signed up with the governing body - can compete in 'One Point Slam' events at their neighborhood facilities

The victors of the local competitions will then go into a random pairing, with one amateur player from every region and area picked to take part in the 'final competition' in a evening match on mid-January

There will also be a entry tournament in the final month which non-professionals, lower ranked pros, celebrities and athletic celebrities can participate in

It begins on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will advance to the midweek 'championship match' with the other eight amateurs and top-ranked athletes

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the ultimate winner will receive the prize. Entries will start imminently at venues nationwide"

Competition planners stated there were "more big names to be announced soon", while the official website mentioned "well-known figures" would be taking part