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Everyday tennis enthusiasts will have the chance to claim one million Australian dollars when they face world-class athletes - featuring top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz - in a winner-takes-all point leading up to the Australian Grand Slam

Tournament officials of the year's first Grand Slam have unveiled the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will match a dozen non-professionals against top-ranked players in a single-elimination format at the Australian Open venue

This Innovative Event Will Work

Participants must play 'the classic hand game' to determine who gets to serve or return, and whoever wins the point will move forward to the following stage

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

By comparison, players who reached the semi-finals of the men's or women's singles in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Earlier Similar Events

The US Open hosted a restructured, independent combined gender tournament in late summer which prompted top singles players to take part, with the champions receiving $1m

The Melbourne tournament held its inaugural single-point competition in the current season, but the prize fund was A$60,000 and it had limited exposure

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor involved, and his campaign finished when he directed the one and only serve allowed into the mesh in his last eight match

Event Specifics

Officials have not specified precisely how the event will function, but it is projected to emulate a akin setup to this year's edition

The elite players will be permitted to have a single serve and the amateurs two times - as is the standard practice in conventional tennis

While it is uncertain how the pairings will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the venue will be the primary court rather than the alternative court

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

Competitor Information

Domestic competitors - or overseas competitors who have registered with Tennis Australia - can participate in 'single-point competition' competitions at their neighborhood facilities

The victors of the local competitions will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every geographic division selected to compete in the 'championship round' in a nighttime event on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a entry tournament in December which amateurs, aspiring competitors, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can participate in

It starts on Monday, 12 January and the pair of champions will qualify for Wednesday's 'final showdown' with the other eight amateurs and elite competitors

"No matter your experience, the final champion will walk away with the reward. Registrations will start imminently at venues throughout the nation"

Competition planners stated there were "further celebrities to be revealed shortly", while the tournament site mentioned "celebrities" would be participating