🔗 Share this article

Amateur players will have an opportunity to win A$1m when they compete against tennis' top professionals - headed by top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point prior to January's Australian Open

Tournament officials of the Melbourne major have unveiled the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will match everyday competitors against 22 professionals in a single-elimination format at the Australian Open venue

The Unique Competition Operates

Players will play 'the decision-making game' to establish who gets to serve or return, and the player who wins the point will move forward to the subsequent phase

The winner of the event will take home approximately half a million pounds

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

Previous Comparable Tournaments

The US Open organized a restructured, independent mixed doubles tournament in late summer which encouraged top singles players to take part, with the victors receiving $1m

The Melbourne tournament held its debut single-point competition this year, but the prize fund was A$60,000 and it had limited exposure

One top competitor was the only top-10 player competing, and his run concluded when he directed the sole serving chance permitted into the mesh in his last eight match

Tournament Specifics

Organizers have not specified precisely how the event will work, but it is expected to follow a akin setup to the most recent iteration

The top competitors will be allowed to make one service and the non-professionals on two occasions - as is the norm in traditional tennis

While it is uncertain how the draw will work, there will be several competitive phases and the location will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the secondary venue

The final stages will occur in a nighttime schedule instead of early afternoon

Entry Details

Domestic competitors - or overseas competitors who have signed up with Tennis Australia - can participate in 'quick-match event' tournaments at their local tennis clubs

The winners of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with an everyday competitor from every state and territory selected to participate in the 'championship round' in a nighttime event on mid-January

There will also be a qualifying draw in the final month which everyday players, aspiring competitors, famous personalities and athletic celebrities can compete in

It commences on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will advance to the midweek 'final showdown' with the remaining non-professionals and elite competitors

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the overall victor will receive the reward. Entries will start imminently at venues throughout the nation"

Event organizers said there were "additional stars to be revealed shortly", while the event portal said "famous personalities" would be participating