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Recreational competitors will have an opportunity to win one million Australian dollars when they face world-class athletes - featuring world number one Carlos Alcaraz - in a one-point battle leading up to the Australian Grand Slam

Event planners of the year's first Grand Slam have revealed the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will match a dozen non-professionals against elite athletes in a elimination competition at the tournament grounds

This Innovative Competition Operates

Participants must play 'the classic hand game' to establish who takes the serve or return position, and the competitor securing the point will advance to the next round

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

By comparison, players who advanced to the semi-finals of the main draw competitions in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Earlier Comparable Tournaments

The American Grand Slam staged a restructured, independent mixed doubles tournament in late summer which motivated top singles players to compete, with the victors receiving one million US dollars

The Australian Open held its inaugural single-point competition earlier this year, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it had limited exposure

Andrey Rublev was the only top-10 player competing, and his progress came to an end when he sent the single service opportunity permitted into the net in his quarter-final

Tournament Information

Planners have not detailed exactly how the event will function, but it is expected to follow a similar format to the most recent iteration

The elite players will be permitted to have a single serve and the everyday players on two occasions - as is the norm in standard play

While it is unclear how the bracket will work, there will be several competitive phases and the venue will be the primary court rather than the alternative court

The final stages will be held in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing

Entry Information

Local players - or international players who have registered with the governing body - can compete in 'quick-match event' events at their neighborhood facilities

The winners of the local competitions will then go into a draw, with an everyday competitor from every region and area chosen to take part in the 'final competition' in a nighttime event on mid-January

There will also be a entry tournament in December which everyday players, aspiring competitors, well-known figures and sports personalities can compete in

It starts on early January and the pair of champions will go into the midweek 'grand finale' with the other eight amateurs and 10 professionals

"No matter your experience, the ultimate winner will receive the award. Applications will begin shortly at clubs throughout the nation"

Competition planners said there were "additional stars to be revealed shortly", while the event portal indicated "famous personalities" would be taking part