Alcaraz Ready to Battle Amateurs in Million Dollar Single-Point Showdown

Amateur players are being offered the chance to claim a seven-figure prize when they compete against elite players - featuring world number one Carlos Alcaraz - in a single-point showdown prior to the year's first major

Event planners of the Melbourne major have announced the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pair 10 amateur players against elite athletes in a elimination competition at the tournament grounds

The Unique Event Will Work

Players will play 'the classic hand game' to establish who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will progress to the subsequent phase

The winner of the event will receive £490,000

By comparison, players who made it to the penultimate round of the main draw competitions in the previous year's tournament won over a million Australian dollars

Previous Related Competitions

The American Grand Slam organized a restructured, independent combined gender tournament in late summer which motivated top singles players to take part, with the champions receiving a million-dollar prize

The Australian Open held its first-ever quick-fire event in the current season, but the total purse was a smaller amount and it had limited exposure

The Russian player was the single high-ranked athlete competing, and his run concluded when he sent the sole serving chance permitted into the net in his penultimate round

Competition Information

Officials have not specified precisely how the event will work, but it is anticipated to follow a similar format to the most recent iteration

The top competitors will be permitted to make one service and the non-professionals twice - as is the standard practice in conventional tennis

While it is uncertain how the pairings will work, there will be several competitive phases and the site will be the main stadium rather than the smaller Kia Arena

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

Entry Information

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have registered with the national federation - can participate in 'One Point Slam' tournaments at their neighborhood facilities

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every geographic division selected to participate in the 'grand finale' in a evening match on the specified date

There will also be a qualifying draw in the final month which non-professionals, developing professionals, celebrities and sport stars can participate in

It commences on the starting date and the two winners will go into Wednesday's 'final showdown' with the remaining non-professionals and 10 professionals

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the final champion will claim the reward. Registrations will begin shortly at facilities throughout the nation"

Event organizers mentioned there were "more big names to be revealed shortly", while the event portal indicated "celebrities" would be taking part