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Amateur players will have the chance to claim A$1m when they face elite players - headed by leading player the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown prior to January's Australian Open

Tournament officials of the Melbourne major have revealed the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will pair 10 amateur players against top-ranked players in a knockout tournament at the tournament grounds

The Unique Tournament Functions

Competitors are set to play 'the classic hand game' to decide who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will progress to the subsequent phase

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 last edition won substantial prize money

Previous Related Competitions

The US Open staged a restructured, independent mixed doubles tournament in August which motivated top singles players to participate, with the winners receiving a million-dollar prize

The year's first major held its inaugural single-point competition earlier this year, but the prize fund was A$60,000 and it generated little publicity

Andrey Rublev was the sole elite competitor involved, and his campaign came to an end when he directed the single service opportunity granted failing to clear the net in his last eight match

Tournament Specifics

Planners have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is anticipated to mirror a comparable structure to the most recent iteration

The top competitors will be permitted to have a single serve and the non-professionals on two occasions - as is the standard practice in conventional tennis

While it is not certain how the pairings will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the location will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the alternative court

The final stages will occur in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing

Entry Information

Any Australians - or international players who have registered with the national federation - can participate in 'One Point Slam' tournaments at their neighborhood facilities

The victors of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every geographic division chosen to participate in the 'championship round' in a nighttime event on mid-January

There will also be a preliminary competition in the final month which everyday players, lower ranked pros, well-known figures and sport stars can compete in

It commences on Monday, 12 January and the two winners will qualify for the following day's 'grand finale' with the remaining non-professionals and elite competitors

"Regardless of your skill level, the overall victor will receive the reward. Applications will begin shortly at facilities throughout the nation"

Competition planners stated there were "additional stars to be revealed shortly", while the tournament site said "celebrities" would be taking part