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Recreational competitors are being offered an opportunity to win A$1m when they face elite players - including top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz - in a one-point battle prior to January's Australian Open

Tournament officials of the Australian Open have unveiled the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pair everyday competitors against top-ranked players in a knockout tournament at Melbourne Park

The Unique Competition Operates

Competitors are set to play 'the decision-making game' to determine who gets to serve or return, and the competitor securing the point will progress to the next round

The victor of the event will earn £490,000

For comparison, players who reached the semi-finals of the primary tournaments in the previous year's tournament won substantial prize money

Previous Similar Events

The US Open hosted a revamped, standalone mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to participate, with the victors receiving $1m

The year's first major held its first-ever One Point Slam earlier this year, but the cash prize was sixty thousand Australian dollars and it received minimal attention

The Russian player was the single high-ranked athlete involved, and his progress finished when he sent the one and only serve permitted into the net in his quarter-final

Event Specifics

Officials have not detailed exactly how the event will function, but it is anticipated to mirror a similar format to this year's edition

The top competitors will be allowed to have a single serve and the amateurs twice - as is the usual procedure in conventional tennis

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

The last matches will be held in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing

Participation Information

Any Australians - or international players who have enrolled with the national federation - can enter 'quick-match event' events at their local tennis clubs

The victors of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a random pairing, with one amateur player from every state and territory selected to compete in the 'final competition' in a evening match on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a qualifying draw in December which amateurs, lower ranked pros, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can compete in

It begins on Monday, 12 January and the pair of champions will go into Wednesday's 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and top-ranked athletes

"Regardless of your skill level, the ultimate winner will walk away with the reward. Entries will begin shortly at clubs throughout the nation"

Competition planners said there were "more big names to be announced soon", while the official website indicated "famous personalities" would be involved