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Everyday tennis enthusiasts will have the chance to earn one million Australian dollars when they take on elite players - featuring top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle before the Australian Grand Slam

Tournament officials of the year's first Grand Slam have announced the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will match everyday competitors against top-ranked players in a single-elimination format at the Australian Open venue

This Innovative Competition Operates

Participants must play 'rock, paper, scissors' to decide who gets to serve or return, and the competitor securing the point will progress to the subsequent phase

The winner of the event will earn a significant cash prize

By comparison, players who advanced to the final four of the primary tournaments in the last edition won over a million Australian dollars

Previous Similar Events

The New York major organized a restructured, standalone mixed doubles tournament in August which motivated top singles players to participate, with the winners receiving one million US dollars

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

The Russian player was the sole elite competitor competing, and his progress concluded when he put the one and only serve permitted into the net in his penultimate round

Event Information

Organizers have not said exactly how the event will work, but it is anticipated to mirror a comparable structure to the most recent iteration

The professionals will be granted to have a single serve and the amateurs on two occasions - as is the standard practice in standard play

While it is not certain how the draw will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the site will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the alternative court

The last matches will be held in a night session instead of midday timing

Competitor Details

Domestic competitors - or overseas competitors who have signed up with Tennis Australia - can participate in 'single-point competition' competitions at their local tennis clubs

The winners of the local competitions will then go into a selection process, with one amateur player from every state and territory picked to participate in the 'grand finale' in a evening match on mid-January

There will also be a qualifying draw in the final month which everyday players, developing professionals, celebrities and athletic celebrities can compete in

It starts on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will qualify for the following day's 'championship match' with the remaining non-professionals and top-ranked athletes

"Regardless of your skill level, the final champion will claim the prize. Registrations will begin shortly at facilities throughout the nation"

Tournament officials said there were "further celebrities to be unveiled imminently", while the tournament site indicated "well-known figures" would be involved