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Recreational competitors are getting the possibility to earn a seven-figure prize when they take on elite players - featuring top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle before the year's first major

Organizers of the year's first Grand Slam have announced the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will match 10 amateur players against top-ranked players in a single-elimination format at the tournament grounds

How the Competition Operates

Participants must play 'rock, paper, scissors' to establish who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will move forward to the next round

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

Contextually, players who made it to the final four of the main draw competitions in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Earlier Related Competitions

The US Open hosted a restructured, separate mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to participate, with the victors receiving one million US dollars

The Melbourne tournament held its inaugural One Point Slam earlier this year, but the cash prize was A$60,000 and it generated little publicity

Andrey Rublev was the single high-ranked athlete competing, and his campaign concluded when he directed the single service opportunity permitted into the net in his penultimate round

Tournament Specifics

Officials have not detailed exactly how the event will work, but it is projected to follow a similar format to the most recent iteration

The professionals will be allowed to make one service and the amateurs twice - as is the usual procedure in conventional tennis

While it is not certain how the pairings will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the location will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the alternative court

The last matches will take place in a night session instead of 1pm local time

Participation Information

Domestic competitors - or international players who have enrolled with Tennis Australia - can enter 'quick-match event' competitions at their neighborhood facilities

The winners of the community events will then go into a random pairing, with one amateur player from every state and territory chosen to participate in the 'championship round' in a night session on the specified date

There will also be a qualifying draw in the final month which amateurs, lower ranked pros, famous personalities and athletic celebrities can compete in

It begins on the starting date and the two winners will go into the midweek 'final showdown' with the other eight amateurs and top-ranked athletes

"No matter your experience, the overall victor will claim the award. Entries will open soon at facilities throughout the nation"

Event organizers mentioned there were "further celebrities to be unveiled imminently", while the tournament site said "celebrities" would be taking part