🔗 Share this article

Amateur players are getting the possibility to win a seven-figure prize when they face tennis' top professionals - headed by leading player the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle leading up to January's Australian Open

Event planners of the Australian Open have announced the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will pit everyday competitors against 22 professionals in a elimination competition at Melbourne Park

This Innovative Competition Operates

Players will play 'the classic hand game' to decide who gets to serve or return, and whoever wins the point will move forward to the following stage

The champion of the event will earn a significant cash prize

Contextually, players who made it to the penultimate round of the men's or women's singles in the 2025 Australian Open won A$1.1m

Earlier Similar Events

The US Open organized a revamped, separate mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which prompted top singles players to compete, with the victors receiving $1m

The Australian Open held its first-ever single-point competition this year, but the total purse was a smaller amount and it generated little publicity

The Russian player was the sole elite competitor involved, and his run finished when he put the one and only serve permitted failing to clear the net in his penultimate round

Tournament Information

Officials have not specified precisely how the event will operate, but it is expected to emulate a akin setup to this year's edition

The top competitors will be granted to have a single serve and the amateurs two times - 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 site will be the main stadium rather than the secondary venue

The last matches will be held in a night session instead of early afternoon

Competitor Details

Local players - or foreign participants who have enrolled with the national federation - can compete in 'One Point Slam' tournaments at their neighborhood facilities

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every region and area chosen to take part in the 'championship round' in a night session on the specified date

There will also be a qualifying draw in late year which amateurs, aspiring competitors, famous personalities and sports personalities can enter

It commences on Monday, 12 January and the pair of champions will go into the midweek 'championship match' with the remaining non-professionals and top-ranked athletes

"Regardless of your skill level, the overall victor will walk away with the reward. Registrations will start imminently at clubs across the country"

Competition planners mentioned there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the official website said "celebrities" would be participating