🔗 Share this article

Recreational competitors are getting the chance to earn one million Australian dollars when they face elite players - including leading player Carlos Alcaraz - in a one-point battle prior to January's Australian Open

Organizers of the year's first Grand Slam have revealed the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will match everyday competitors against top-ranked players in a elimination competition at the tournament grounds

How the Competition Operates

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to establish who gets to serve or return, and the competitor securing the point will move forward to the following stage

The champion of the event will earn a significant cash prize

For comparison, players who advanced to the semi-finals of the primary tournaments in the last edition won substantial prize money

Past Related Competitions

The American Grand Slam staged a revamped, separate mixed doubles tournament in late summer which motivated top singles players to participate, with the champions receiving a million-dollar prize

The Melbourne tournament held its inaugural single-point competition this year, but the prize fund was A$60,000 and it had limited exposure

One top competitor was the only top-10 player participating, and his run concluded when he directed the single service opportunity permitted failing to clear the net in his quarter-final

Tournament Specifics

Officials have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is anticipated to follow a similar format to this year's edition

The elite players will be allowed to serve once and the amateurs twice - as is the standard practice in standard play

While it is unclear how the pairings will work, there will be several competitive phases and the location will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The final stages will occur in a evening slot instead of midday timing

Entry Information

Local players - or foreign participants who have registered with the national federation - can enter 'single-point competition' tournaments at their local tennis clubs

The champions of the community events will then go into a random pairing, with one amateur player from every geographic division picked to participate in the 'championship round' in a night session on the specified date

There will also be a entry tournament in late year which non-professionals, developing professionals, celebrities and athletic celebrities can enter

It starts on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will go into the midweek 'championship match' with the additional everyday players and 10 professionals

"Regardless of your skill level, the overall victor will receive the prize. Applications will start imminently at facilities across the country"

Event organizers mentioned there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the official website mentioned "well-known figures" would be taking part