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Amateur players are being offered the chance to win one million Australian dollars when they compete against elite players - headed by top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown prior to the year's first major

Organizers of the Melbourne major have revealed the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will match 10 amateur players against top-ranked players in a knockout tournament at Melbourne Park

This Innovative Event Will Work

Players will play 'the classic hand game' to establish who serves or receives, and the player who wins the point will move forward to the next round

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

For comparison, players who made it to the penultimate round of the primary tournaments in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Past Related Competitions

The New York major staged a redesigned, separate mixed doubles tournament in late summer which motivated top singles players to compete, with the champions receiving $1m

The Australian Open held its inaugural quick-fire event this year, but the total purse was sixty thousand Australian dollars and it generated little publicity

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor involved, and his campaign concluded when he sent the sole serving chance granted failing to clear the net in his quarter-final

Tournament Details

Planners have not said exactly how the event will work, but it is expected to emulate a akin setup to the most recent iteration

The elite players will be allowed to have a single serve and the amateurs twice - as is the standard practice in conventional tennis

While it is uncertain how the pairings 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 occur in a night session instead of early afternoon

Competitor Requirements

Domestic competitors - or foreign participants who have registered with the governing body - can participate in 'single-point competition' competitions at their neighborhood facilities

The winners of the community events will then go into a draw, with an everyday competitor from every region and area selected to compete in the 'grand finale' in a evening match on the specified date

There will also be a preliminary competition in late year which everyday players, developing professionals, celebrities and athletic celebrities can compete in

It commences on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will go into the midweek 'grand finale' with the additional everyday players and top-ranked athletes

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the final champion will receive the award. Entries will begin shortly at clubs across the country"

Event organizers mentioned there were "additional stars to be announced soon", while the event portal indicated "well-known figures" would be involved