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Recreational competitors are getting the possibility to earn A$1m when they compete against tennis' top professionals - featuring top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point prior to January's Australian Open

Organizers of the Melbourne major have announced the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will pit a dozen non-professionals against elite athletes in a single-elimination format at the tournament grounds

This Innovative Tournament Functions

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to determine who gets to serve or return, and the player who wins the point will advance to the subsequent phase

The winner of the event will take home a significant cash prize

For comparison, players who made it to the penultimate round of the main draw competitions in the 2025 Australian Open won A$1.1m

Earlier Comparable Tournaments

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

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

The Russian player was the single high-ranked athlete competing, and his campaign concluded when he directed the single service opportunity permitted into the mesh in his quarter-final

Tournament Specifics

Planners have not said exactly how the event will function, but it is expected to mirror a similar format to the previous version

The elite players will be granted to serve once and the everyday players two times - as is the norm in standard play

While it is unclear how the pairings will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the location will be the main stadium rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The concluding rounds will occur in a evening slot instead of early afternoon

Participation Details

Local players - or foreign participants who have signed up with the governing body - can compete in 'One Point Slam' tournaments at their community centers

The champions of the community events will then go into a selection process, with one amateur player from every region and area chosen to take part in the 'grand finale' in a nighttime event on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a preliminary competition in late year which amateurs, aspiring competitors, famous personalities and sport stars can compete in

It starts on the starting date and the two winners will qualify for the midweek 'grand finale' with the additional everyday players and top-ranked athletes

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the ultimate winner will walk away with the prize. Applications will open soon at facilities nationwide"

Tournament officials said there were "further celebrities to be announced soon", while the event portal indicated "well-known figures" would be taking part