Everyday tennis enthusiasts are getting the chance to win a seven-figure prize when they take on tennis' top professionals - headed by top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz - in a winner-takes-all point prior to the year's first major
Event planners of the Australian Open have announced the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pit 10 amateur players against 22 professionals in a single-elimination format at Melbourne Park
This Innovative Event Will Work
Competitors are set to play 'the decision-making game' to establish who serves or receives, and the player who wins the point will progress to the following stage
The victor of the event will receive a significant cash prize
For comparison, players who made it to the semi-finals of the men's or women's singles in the 2025 Australian Open won A$1.1m
Past Related Competitions
The American Grand Slam organized a revamped, standalone combined gender tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to compete, with the winners receiving a million-dollar prize
The year's first major held its inaugural quick-fire event earlier this year, but the prize fund was a smaller amount and it had limited exposure
The Russian player was the only top-10 player participating, and his progress concluded when he sent the single service opportunity granted into the net in his last eight match
Competition Details
Organizers have not said exactly how the event will work, but it is anticipated to follow a comparable structure to the most recent iteration
The elite players will be permitted to serve once and the amateurs on two occasions - as is the usual procedure in standard play
While it is uncertain how the pairings will work, there will be several competitive phases 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
Entry Details
Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have enrolled with the national federation - can compete in 'quick-match event' competitions at their neighborhood facilities
The winners of the community events will then go into a draw, with one amateur player from every state and territory selected to compete in the 'championship round' in a nighttime event on the specified date
There will also be a qualifying draw in December which non-professionals, aspiring competitors, celebrities and athletic celebrities can compete in
It begins on Monday, 12 January and the two winners will qualify for Wednesday's 'grand finale' with the additional everyday players and elite competitors
"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the final champion will walk away with the prize. Registrations will start imminently at clubs across the country"
Competition planners mentioned there were "additional stars to be revealed shortly", while the tournament site said "celebrities" would be taking part
