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Recreational competitors will have the possibility to claim one million Australian dollars when they face tennis' top professionals - featuring leading player Carlos Alcaraz - in a single-point showdown leading up to the year's first major

Organizers of the Melbourne major have revealed the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will match a dozen non-professionals against top-ranked players in a elimination competition at Melbourne Park

This Innovative Competition Operates

Competitors are set to play 'the classic hand game' to decide who gets to serve or return, and whoever wins the point will progress to the following stage

The victor of the event will earn £490,000

For comparison, players who advanced to the semi-finals of the primary tournaments in the 2025 Australian Open won A$1.1m

Earlier Similar Events

The American Grand Slam hosted a revamped, separate mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which prompted top singles players to participate, with the champions receiving a million-dollar prize

The Melbourne tournament held its debut One Point Slam this year, but the cash prize was a smaller amount and it received minimal attention

The Russian player was the only top-10 player competing, and his run came to an end when he sent the single service opportunity granted into the net in his last eight match

Competition Specifics

Officials have not said exactly how the event will function, but it is projected to mirror a comparable structure to the most recent iteration

The elite players will be allowed to serve once and the amateurs twice - as is the norm in traditional tennis

While it is not certain how the draw will work, there will be several competitive phases and the venue will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The concluding rounds will take place in a night session instead of midday timing

Participation Details

Domestic competitors - or foreign participants who have registered with the national federation - can participate in 'single-point competition' tournaments at their community centers

The victors of the local competitions will then go into a selection process, with an everyday competitor from every region and area selected to compete in the 'final competition' in a night session on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a preliminary competition in December which non-professionals, developing professionals, famous personalities and sports personalities can enter

It begins on Monday, 12 January and the two winners will qualify for the midweek 'championship match' with the remaining non-professionals and elite competitors

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the overall victor will walk away with the award. Entries will open soon at venues across the country"

Tournament officials stated there were "additional stars to be announced soon", while the event portal mentioned "well-known figures" would be taking part