Carlos Alcaraz to Face Everyday Players in Seven-Figure One Point Slam

Recreational competitors are being offered the possibility to earn a seven-figure prize when they take on world-class athletes - including top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle leading up to the year's first major

Organizers of the Australian Open have revealed the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will pair a dozen non-professionals against 22 professionals in a single-elimination format at the tournament grounds

The Unique Event Will Work

Competitors are set to play 'the classic hand game' to decide who takes the serve or return position, and the competitor securing the point will move forward to the next round

The winner of the event will take home £490,000

For comparison, players who made it to the penultimate round of the main draw competitions in the previous year's tournament won A$1.1m

Past Related Competitions

The US Open staged a restructured, independent combined gender tournament in the eighth month which encouraged top singles players to compete, with the winners receiving a million-dollar prize

The year's first major held its first-ever single-point competition earlier this year, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it had limited exposure

The Russian player was the single high-ranked athlete involved, and his progress finished when he sent the one and only serve allowed into the net in his last eight match

Tournament Details

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

The elite players will be allowed to make one service and the amateurs two times - as is the norm in standard play

While it is not certain how the draw will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the location will be the primary court rather than the alternative court

The last matches will occur in a night session instead of midday timing

Participation Requirements

Domestic competitors - or international players who have registered with the national federation - can enter 'One Point Slam' events at their neighborhood facilities

The champions of the community events will then go into a draw, with one amateur player from every state and territory picked to participate in the 'final competition' in a evening match on the specified date

There will also be a entry tournament in late year which everyday players, aspiring competitors, famous personalities and sport stars can enter

It commences on the starting date and the pair of champions will advance to the following day's 'grand finale' with the additional everyday players and elite competitors

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

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