Carlos Alcaraz Set to Compete Against Everyday Players in $1 Million Single-Point Showdown
Amateur players will have the chance to claim A$1m when they compete against world-class athletes - including leading player the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle before the Australian Grand Slam
Organizers of the year's first Grand Slam have unveiled the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pair a dozen non-professionals against elite athletes in a single-elimination format at the Australian Open venue
This Innovative Tournament Functions
Competitors are set to play 'rock, paper, scissors' to decide who gets to serve or return, and the player who wins the point will advance to the subsequent phase
The champion of the event will receive £490,000
By comparison, players who advanced to the semi-finals of the men's or women's singles in the 2025 Australian Open won A$1.1m
Past Related Competitions
The New York major organized a redesigned, standalone combined gender tournament in late summer which encouraged top singles players to participate, with the champions receiving a million-dollar prize
The Melbourne tournament held its first-ever quick-fire event this year, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it received minimal attention
One top competitor was the only top-10 player competing, and his campaign concluded when he directed the sole serving chance granted into the net in his last eight match
Event Details
Planners have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is expected to follow a akin setup to this year's edition
The top competitors will be allowed to have a single serve and the amateurs two times - as is the norm in traditional tennis
While it is not certain how the bracket will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the location will be the main stadium rather than the alternative court
The concluding rounds will occur in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing
Entry Information
Domestic competitors - or overseas competitors who have signed up with Tennis Australia - can enter 'One Point Slam' events at their local tennis clubs
The winners of the local competitions will then go into a random pairing, with one amateur player from every region and area chosen to take part in the 'final competition' in a evening match on mid-January
There will also be a preliminary competition in December which amateurs, aspiring competitors, celebrities and sports personalities can enter
It begins on the starting date and the two winners will go into the midweek 'final showdown' with the remaining non-professionals and 10 professionals
"No matter your experience, the final champion will walk away with the reward. Applications will begin shortly at clubs across the country"
Competition planners mentioned there were "additional stars to be announced soon", while the event portal indicated "celebrities" would be involved
