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Recreational competitors are getting the chance to earn a seven-figure prize when they compete against world-class athletes - headed by leading player the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point leading up to the Australian Grand Slam

Event planners of the Australian Open have unveiled the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will match 10 amateur players against elite athletes in a elimination competition at the Australian Open venue

The Unique Competition Operates

Players will play 'rock, paper, scissors' to decide who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will progress to the next round

The champion of the event will earn a significant cash prize

By comparison, players who made it to the semi-finals of the main draw competitions in the 2025 Australian Open won A$1.1m

Past Comparable Tournaments

The American Grand Slam staged a redesigned, standalone mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to take part, with the victors receiving a million-dollar prize

The Australian Open held its debut quick-fire event this year, but the cash prize was a smaller amount and it generated little publicity

Andrey Rublev was the sole elite competitor involved, and his campaign came to an end when he sent the sole serving chance permitted into the net in his last eight match

Tournament Details

Planners have not detailed exactly how the event will function, but it is projected to mirror a akin setup to the most recent iteration

The top competitors will be allowed to have a single serve and the non-professionals two times - as is the standard practice in traditional tennis

While it is unclear how the pairings will work, there will be several competitive phases and the location will be the primary court rather than the alternative court

The concluding rounds will be held in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing

Participation Requirements

Any Australians - or foreign participants who have registered with Tennis Australia - can compete in 'single-point competition' events at their neighborhood facilities

The winners of the community events will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every geographic division chosen to take part in the 'grand finale' in a evening match on mid-January

There will also be a entry tournament in the final month which non-professionals, lower ranked pros, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can participate in

It commences on Monday, 12 January and the pair of champions will qualify for the midweek 'final showdown' with the remaining non-professionals and elite competitors

"No matter your experience, the overall victor will walk away with the prize. Registrations will open soon at venues throughout the nation"

Event organizers mentioned there were "further celebrities to be revealed shortly", while the event portal mentioned "well-known figures" would be taking part