🔗 Share this article

Recreational competitors are being offered an opportunity to win one million Australian dollars when they take on elite players - featuring world number one the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point leading up to the Australian Grand Slam

Organizers of the year's first Grand Slam have revealed the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will match everyday competitors against elite athletes in a knockout tournament at the tournament grounds

The Unique Tournament Functions

Participants must play 'the classic hand game' to decide who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will advance to the next round

The champion of the event will receive a significant cash prize

By comparison, players who made it to the final four of the men's or women's singles in the last edition won over a million Australian dollars

Earlier Related Competitions

The American Grand Slam staged a restructured, independent mixed doubles tournament in late summer which encouraged top singles players to compete, with the champions receiving $1m

The Australian Open held its first-ever One Point Slam in the current season, but the total purse was a smaller amount and it had limited exposure

The Russian player was the only top-10 player competing, and his progress came to an end when he put the single service opportunity permitted failing to clear the net in his quarter-final

Event Specifics

Planners have not detailed exactly how the event will work, but it is projected to follow a similar format to the previous version

The elite players will be permitted to make one service and the amateurs twice - as is the norm in conventional tennis

While it is not certain how the pairings will work, there will be several competitive phases and the location will be the primary court rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The final stages will take place in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing

Entry Information

Any Australians - or international players who have enrolled with the governing body - can compete in 'quick-match event' competitions at their community centers

The winners of the local competitions will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every geographic division selected to participate in the 'grand finale' in a nighttime event on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a preliminary competition in December which amateurs, developing professionals, famous personalities and sports personalities can participate in

It begins on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will go into the midweek 'championship match' with the other eight amateurs and 10 professionals

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the overall victor will receive the prize. Entries will begin shortly at venues across the country"

Competition planners said there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the event portal indicated "celebrities" would be involved