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Amateur players will have an opportunity to claim A$1m when they face world-class athletes - including leading player the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown leading up to January's Australian Open

Organizers of the Australian Open have announced the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pair 10 amateur players against elite athletes in a single-elimination format at the Australian Open venue

This Innovative Tournament Functions

Players will play 'rock, paper, scissors' to decide who takes the serve or return position, and the competitor securing the point will move forward to the next round

The champion of the event will earn a significant cash prize

For comparison, players who reached the penultimate round of the men's or women's singles in the 2025 Australian Open won over a million Australian dollars

Past Related Competitions

The American Grand Slam organized a restructured, separate mixed doubles tournament in August which prompted top singles players to participate, with the victors receiving $1m

The Melbourne tournament held its debut quick-fire event this year, but the cash prize was A$60,000 and it had limited exposure

One top competitor was the only top-10 player competing, and his run concluded when he directed the sole serving chance granted failing to clear the net in his quarter-final

Event Specifics

Planners have not specified precisely how the event will work, but it is projected to mirror a similar format to this year's edition

The professionals will be permitted to make one service and the everyday players two times - as is the usual procedure in standard play

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

The final stages will be held in a night session instead of midday timing

Entry Details

Any Australians - or foreign participants who have signed up with the national federation - can compete in 'quick-match event' events at their community centers

The victors of the community events will then go into a selection process, with one amateur player from every state and territory chosen to take part in the 'championship round' in a night session on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a preliminary competition in December which non-professionals, lower ranked pros, celebrities and sport stars can participate in

It begins on early January and the successful competitors will qualify for the midweek 'championship match' with the other eight amateurs and elite competitors

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the overall victor will claim the reward. Entries will begin shortly at facilities throughout the nation"

Tournament officials mentioned there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the official website indicated "famous personalities" would be participating