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Everyday tennis enthusiasts are being offered an opportunity to earn a seven-figure prize when they face world-class athletes - featuring top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown leading up to the Australian Grand Slam

Organizers of the Melbourne major have announced the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will match everyday competitors against elite athletes in a knockout tournament at Melbourne Park

This Innovative Event Will Work

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to determine who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will progress to the next round

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

By comparison, players who reached the penultimate round of the main draw competitions in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Past Similar Events

The American Grand Slam hosted a restructured, separate mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which encouraged top singles players to participate, with the victors receiving a million-dollar prize

The Australian Open held its debut quick-fire event earlier this year, but the prize fund was a smaller amount and it generated little publicity

Andrey Rublev was the only top-10 player competing, and his run came to an end when he directed the sole serving chance permitted into the mesh in his last eight match

Event Information

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

The top competitors will be granted to have a single serve and the everyday players two times - as is the usual procedure in standard play

While it is uncertain how the pairings will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the venue will be the primary court rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The final stages will be held in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing

Competitor Requirements

Domestic competitors - or international players who have enrolled with the national federation - can compete in 'quick-match event' events at their neighborhood facilities

The winners of the local competitions will then go into a draw, with an everyday competitor from every region and area selected to take part in the 'final competition' in a nighttime event on the specified date

There will also be a qualifying draw in December which everyday players, developing professionals, well-known figures and sport stars can participate in

It commences on early January and the pair of champions will qualify for the following day's 'final showdown' with the remaining non-professionals and 10 professionals

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

Competition planners said there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the tournament site mentioned "celebrities" would be taking part