Alcaraz to Face Amateurs in Seven-Figure Single-Point Showdown
Amateur players are being offered the chance to earn one million Australian dollars when they compete against tennis' top professionals - featuring leading player Carlos Alcaraz - in a winner-takes-all point before the year's first major
Event planners of the Australian Open have revealed the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pair everyday competitors against 22 professionals in a elimination competition at the Australian Open venue
The Unique Tournament Functions
Participants must play 'the classic hand game' to decide who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will advance to the next round
The champion of the event will earn approximately half a million pounds
For comparison, players who advanced to the final four of the main draw competitions in the last edition won A$1.1m
Previous Comparable Tournaments
The American Grand Slam organized a restructured, independent combined gender tournament in late summer which encouraged top singles players to take part, with the champions receiving one million US dollars
The Melbourne tournament held its inaugural single-point competition in the current season, but the prize fund was A$60,000 and it received minimal attention
One top competitor was the single high-ranked athlete involved, and his campaign came to an end when he directed the sole serving chance allowed failing to clear the net in his last eight match
Event Specifics
Officials have not detailed exactly how the event will work, but it is anticipated to emulate a akin setup to the most recent iteration
The elite players will be allowed to have a single serve and the everyday players twice - as is the norm in conventional tennis
While it is not certain how the bracket will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the site will be the primary court rather than the smaller Kia Arena
The last matches will occur in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing
Competitor Details
Domestic competitors - or international players who have registered with the national federation - can participate in 'single-point competition' competitions at their community centers
The victors of the community events will then go into a random pairing, with a single non-professional from every region and area picked to compete in the 'grand finale' in a nighttime event on the specified date
There will also be a qualifying draw in December which everyday players, developing professionals, celebrities and sport stars can enter
It starts on early January and the pair of champions will go into the midweek 'championship match' with the remaining non-professionals and 10 professionals
"Regardless of your skill level, the final champion will receive the reward. Registrations will open soon at facilities throughout the nation"
Competition planners said there were "more big names to be unveiled imminently", while the event portal indicated "famous personalities" would be participating