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Amateur players are being offered an opportunity to claim A$1m when they face elite players - including world number one the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown prior to the year's first major

Event planners of the Australian Open have unveiled the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will match everyday competitors against 22 professionals in a single-elimination format at Melbourne Park

The Unique Event Will Work

Competitors are set to play 'rock, paper, scissors' to determine who serves or receives, and the competitor securing the point will progress to the next round

The victor of the event will take home approximately half a million pounds

For comparison, players who reached the semi-finals of the primary tournaments in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Previous Related Competitions

The New York major hosted a restructured, separate mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which prompted top singles players to take part, with the winners receiving a million-dollar prize

The Australian Open 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 participating, and his progress came to an end when he directed the sole serving chance allowed into the mesh in his last eight match

Competition Details

Organizers have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is anticipated to emulate a akin setup to this year's edition

The professionals will be permitted to make one service and the amateurs twice - as is the standard practice in conventional tennis

While it is uncertain how the draw will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the venue will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The concluding rounds will take place in a night session instead of early afternoon

Participation Details

Domestic competitors - or international players who have registered with the national federation - can participate in 'single-point competition' competitions at their local tennis clubs

The champions of the local competitions will then go into a draw, with an everyday competitor from every state and territory selected to participate in the 'final competition' in a night session on mid-January

There will also be a preliminary competition in late year which amateurs, aspiring competitors, famous personalities and sport stars can participate in

It commences on Monday, 12 January and the two winners will advance to Wednesday's 'grand finale' with the additional everyday players and 10 professionals

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the overall victor will walk away with the reward. Registrations will open soon at clubs across the country"

Tournament officials stated there were "further celebrities to be revealed shortly", while the event portal indicated "well-known figures" would be involved