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Everyday tennis enthusiasts are being offered an opportunity to win a seven-figure prize when they compete against tennis' top professionals - including world number one the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point before January's Australian Open

Organizers of the year's first Grand Slam have revealed the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will match a dozen non-professionals against 22 professionals in a elimination competition at Melbourne Park

This Innovative Tournament Functions

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to decide who gets to serve or return, and the competitor securing the point will advance to the following stage

The winner of the event will take home a significant cash prize

For comparison, players who reached the penultimate round of the men's or women's singles in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Previous Comparable Tournaments

The American Grand Slam organized a revamped, standalone combined gender tournament in late summer which encouraged top singles players to participate, with the victors receiving $1m

The Melbourne tournament held its debut quick-fire event 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 one and only serve allowed into the net in his last eight match

Event Specifics

Officials have not specified precisely how the event will operate, but it is anticipated to emulate a akin setup to the most recent iteration

The elite players will be permitted to serve once and the non-professionals on two occasions - as is the norm in traditional tennis

While it is unclear how the draw will work, there will be several competitive phases and the location will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The last matches will take place in a nighttime schedule instead of 1pm local time

Participation Details

Local players - or overseas competitors who have registered with Tennis Australia - can participate in 'One Point Slam' tournaments at their community centers

The champions of the community events will then go into a selection process, with an everyday competitor from every geographic division selected to compete in the 'grand finale' in a night session on mid-January

There will also be a entry tournament in late year which amateurs, developing professionals, famous personalities and sports personalities can compete in

It starts on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will go into Wednesday's 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and 10 professionals

"Regardless of your skill level, the final champion will claim the prize. Registrations will begin shortly at clubs nationwide"

Competition planners said there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the tournament site indicated "famous personalities" would be involved