🔗 Share this article

Recreational competitors are being offered an opportunity to claim A$1m when they face tennis' top professionals - headed by leading player the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown before the year's first major

Event planners of the Australian Open have unveiled the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pair 10 amateur players against elite athletes in a single-elimination format at the tournament grounds

This Innovative Competition Operates

Participants must play 'the classic hand game' to establish who serves or receives, and the player who wins the point will progress to the subsequent phase

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

For comparison, players who made it to the semi-finals of the main draw competitions in the 2025 Australian Open won over a million Australian dollars

Earlier Similar Events

The US Open staged a restructured, separate mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which prompted top singles players to participate, with the winners receiving one million US dollars

The year's first major held its inaugural quick-fire event earlier this year, but the cash prize was A$60,000 and it received minimal attention

One top competitor was the only top-10 player competing, and his progress came to an end when he sent the single service opportunity granted into the mesh in his quarter-final

Tournament Details

Planners have not specified precisely how the event will operate, but it is anticipated to emulate a akin setup to the previous version

The top competitors will be granted to make one service and the everyday players twice - as is the standard practice in conventional tennis

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 secondary venue

The final stages will take place in a night session instead of midday timing

Participation Information

Local players - or international players who have signed up with the governing body - can enter 'One Point Slam' competitions at their neighborhood facilities

The victors of the local competitions will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every geographic division selected to take part in the 'final competition' in a evening match on the specified date

There will also be a preliminary competition in late year which everyday players, developing professionals, celebrities and sport stars can compete in

It starts on the starting date and the pair of champions will qualify for Wednesday's 'grand finale' with the other eight amateurs and elite competitors

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the ultimate winner will receive the prize. Registrations will start imminently at venues across the country"

Competition planners said there were "further celebrities to be revealed shortly", while the official website said "well-known figures" would be involved