Alcaraz Set to Compete Against Non-Professionals in Seven-Figure Single-Point Showdown

Recreational competitors are getting the chance to earn A$1m when they take on world-class athletes - including top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz - in a winner-takes-all point before the year's first major

Event planners of the Melbourne major have announced the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will pit everyday competitors against elite athletes in a elimination competition at the Australian Open venue

This Innovative Competition Operates

Players will play 'rock, paper, scissors' to establish who gets to serve or return, and the player who wins the point will advance to the following stage

The victor of the event will earn £490,000

For comparison, players who made it to the penultimate round of the main draw competitions in the previous year's tournament won substantial prize money

Past Related Competitions

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

The year's first major held its inaugural quick-fire event earlier this year, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it received minimal attention

One top competitor was the only top-10 player participating, and his campaign concluded when he put the one and only serve allowed failing to clear the net in his quarter-final

Competition Information

Planners have not specified precisely how the event will operate, but it is expected to follow a similar format to this year's edition

The top competitors will be permitted to serve once and the amateurs twice - as is the norm in standard play

While it is uncertain how the bracket will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the location will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The final stages will be held in a nighttime schedule instead of early afternoon

Competitor Details

Local players - or overseas competitors who have enrolled with the governing body - can compete in 'One Point Slam' tournaments at their neighborhood facilities

The winners of the local competitions will then go into a selection process, with one amateur player from every region and area selected to take part in the 'final competition' in a night session on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a qualifying draw in the final month which amateurs, developing professionals, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can participate in

It commences on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will advance to the midweek 'grand finale' with the other eight amateurs and top-ranked athletes

"No matter your experience, the ultimate winner will claim the prize. Registrations will start imminently at facilities across the country"

Competition planners mentioned there were "more big names to be revealed shortly", while the official website said "famous personalities" would be participating