🔗 Share this article

Everyday tennis enthusiasts are being offered the possibility to claim one million Australian dollars when they compete against world-class athletes - featuring top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz - in a single-point showdown before the Australian Grand Slam

Organizers of the Melbourne major have revealed the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pair 10 amateur players against elite athletes in a knockout tournament at the tournament grounds

The Unique Event Will Work

Participants must play 'rock, paper, scissors' to establish who serves or receives, and the competitor securing the point will advance to the next round

The winner of the event will receive a significant cash prize

For comparison, players who made it to the penultimate round of the main draw competitions in the previous year's tournament won substantial prize money

Previous Comparable Tournaments

The American Grand Slam hosted a revamped, independent combined gender tournament in August which motivated top singles players to take part, with the victors receiving one million US dollars

The Australian Open held its debut One Point Slam earlier this year, but the prize fund was A$60,000 and it received minimal attention

One top competitor was the only top-10 player competing, and his run came to an end when he sent the single service opportunity permitted into the net in his last eight match

Competition Specifics

Planners have not detailed exactly how the event will function, but it is expected to mirror a akin setup to this year's edition

The elite players will be allowed to have a single serve and the non-professionals twice - as is the norm in traditional tennis

While it is unclear how the draw will work, there will be several competitive phases and the site will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the secondary venue

The last matches will take place in a night session instead of midday timing

Entry Details

Any Australians - or international players who have registered with the governing body - can enter 'One Point Slam' tournaments at their neighborhood facilities

The winners of the local competitions will then go into a selection process, with one amateur player from every region and area selected to compete in the 'final competition' in a evening match on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a qualifying draw in the final month which everyday players, developing professionals, famous personalities and sport stars can compete in

It begins on early January and the successful competitors will go into the following day's 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and elite competitors

"Regardless of your skill level, the overall victor will walk away with the prize. Applications will start imminently at facilities nationwide"

Event organizers stated there were "additional stars to be revealed shortly", while the tournament site indicated "celebrities" would be taking part