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Amateur players are being offered the possibility to win A$1m when they compete against tennis' top professionals - headed by leading player the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown leading up to January's Australian Open

Organizers of the year's first Grand Slam have announced the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will pair a dozen non-professionals against 22 professionals in a elimination competition at the Australian Open venue

This Innovative Competition Operates

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to establish who serves or receives, and the player who wins the point will advance to the subsequent phase

The winner of the event will receive a significant cash prize

For comparison, players who reached the final four of the main draw competitions in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Earlier Related Competitions

The American Grand Slam staged a revamped, standalone combined gender tournament in late summer which encouraged top singles players to compete, with the champions receiving one million US dollars

The Melbourne tournament held its inaugural single-point competition this year, but the prize fund was a smaller amount and it had limited exposure

The Russian player was the single high-ranked athlete participating, and his campaign concluded when he put the single service opportunity allowed failing to clear the net in his last eight match

Competition Details

Organizers have not said exactly how the event will operate, but it is expected to follow a akin setup to the most recent iteration

The elite players will be granted to have a single serve and the everyday players twice - as is the usual procedure in conventional tennis

While it is not certain how the bracket will work, there will be several competitive phases 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 early afternoon

Competitor Details

Domestic competitors - or overseas competitors who have registered with Tennis Australia - can enter 'One Point Slam' events at their community centers

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with one amateur player from every region and area selected to participate in the 'grand finale' in a night session on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a entry tournament in the final month which everyday players, lower ranked pros, famous personalities and sports personalities can enter

It begins on the starting date and the two winners will go into Wednesday's 'final showdown' with the remaining non-professionals and elite competitors

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the final champion will receive the reward. Applications will begin shortly at facilities nationwide"

Tournament officials said there were "more big names to be unveiled imminently", while the official website indicated "well-known figures" would be taking part