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Recreational competitors will have the chance to win A$1m when they compete against tennis' top professionals - headed by leading player Carlos Alcaraz - in a one-point battle prior to the year's first major

Event planners of the year's first Grand Slam have announced the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will pair everyday competitors against 22 professionals in a knockout tournament at the tournament grounds

How the Competition Operates

Competitors are set to play 'rock, paper, scissors' to determine who gets to serve or return, and the competitor securing the point will progress to the next round

The winner of the event will receive approximately half a million pounds

By comparison, players who advanced to the semi-finals of the primary tournaments in the 2025 Australian Open won A$1.1m

Previous Comparable Tournaments

The US Open staged a restructured, separate mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to take part, with the champions receiving a million-dollar prize

The Australian Open held its debut single-point competition this year, but the prize fund was a smaller amount and it had limited exposure

One top competitor was the single high-ranked athlete involved, and his run came to an end when he put the one and only serve granted failing to clear the net in his last eight match

Event Information

Officials have not specified precisely how the event will operate, but it is expected to follow a akin setup to the most recent iteration

The professionals will be granted to make one service and the amateurs on two occasions - as is the usual procedure in traditional tennis

While it is uncertain how the draw will work, there will be several competitive phases and the location will be the primary court rather than the secondary venue

The concluding rounds will be held in a evening slot instead of 1pm local time

Participation Information

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have enrolled with Tennis Australia - can compete in 'One Point Slam' events at their neighborhood facilities

The victors of the local competitions will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every state and territory selected to participate in the 'grand finale' in a nighttime event on mid-January

There will also be a preliminary competition in the final month which amateurs, aspiring competitors, well-known figures and sports personalities can enter

It starts on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will go into the following day's 'championship match' with the remaining non-professionals and elite competitors

"No matter your experience, the final champion will walk away with the prize. Applications will start imminently at clubs throughout the nation"

Tournament officials said there were "additional stars to be announced soon", while the official website indicated "famous personalities" would be involved