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Everyday tennis enthusiasts are being offered an opportunity to win a seven-figure prize when they take on tennis' top professionals - headed by leading player the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point prior to the year's first major

Tournament officials of the year's first Grand Slam have revealed the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pair a dozen non-professionals against 22 professionals in a single-elimination format at the tournament grounds

This Innovative Competition Operates

Competitors are set to play 'rock, paper, scissors' to determine who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will advance to the subsequent phase

The champion of the event will receive a significant cash prize

Contextually, players who made it to the penultimate round of the main draw competitions in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Previous Similar Events

The American Grand Slam organized a revamped, separate mixed doubles tournament in August which motivated top singles players to compete, with the victors receiving $1m

The Melbourne tournament held its inaugural quick-fire event in the current season, but the cash prize was A$60,000 and it generated little publicity

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor participating, and his run finished when he sent the one and only serve permitted failing to clear the net in his quarter-final

Competition Specifics

Officials have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is expected to mirror a similar format to the previous version

The professionals will be allowed to serve once and the non-professionals on two occasions - as is the usual procedure in conventional tennis

While it is uncertain how the bracket will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the venue will be the main stadium rather than the alternative court

The last matches will take place in a night session instead of early afternoon

Participation Requirements

Local players - or international players who have registered with the national federation - can compete in 'One Point Slam' events at their local tennis clubs

The victors of the local competitions will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every geographic division selected to participate in the 'final competition' in a nighttime event on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a preliminary competition in late year which non-professionals, lower ranked pros, well-known figures and sports personalities can compete in

It starts on the starting date and the two winners will qualify for the following day's 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and top-ranked athletes

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the final champion will receive the award. Registrations will begin shortly at facilities across the country"

Tournament officials stated there were "additional stars to be announced soon", while the tournament site indicated "celebrities" would be taking part