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Amateur players are being offered the possibility to claim one million Australian dollars when they compete against elite players - headed by top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz - in a single-point showdown leading up to the year's first major

Tournament officials of the year's first Grand Slam have revealed the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pit 10 amateur players against 22 professionals in a single-elimination format at Melbourne Park

The Unique Competition Operates

Players will play 'the classic hand game' to establish who serves or receives, and the player who wins the point will advance to the subsequent phase

The winner of the event will earn £490,000

For comparison, players who advanced to the final four of the men's or women's singles in the last edition won substantial prize money

Past Similar Events

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

The year's first major held its inaugural One Point Slam earlier this year, but the cash prize was a smaller amount and it generated little publicity

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor competing, and his run concluded when he put the one and only serve granted failing to clear the net in his quarter-final

Competition Information

Planners have not said exactly how the event will operate, but it is projected to mirror a akin setup to this year's edition

The top competitors will be allowed to serve once and the amateurs twice - as is the norm in traditional tennis

While it is uncertain how the draw will work, there will be several competitive phases and the venue will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The concluding rounds will be held in a evening slot instead of 1pm local time

Competitor Requirements

Domestic competitors - or international players who have enrolled with the governing body - can enter 'quick-match event' tournaments at their neighborhood facilities

The victors of the local competitions will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every region and area chosen to participate in the 'grand finale' in a nighttime event on the specified date

There will also be a preliminary competition in December which everyday players, developing professionals, well-known figures and sports personalities can enter

It begins 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 walk away with the reward. Applications will start imminently at venues nationwide"

Event organizers mentioned there were "additional stars to be revealed shortly", while the tournament site said "famous personalities" would be participating