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Everyday tennis enthusiasts are being offered an opportunity to claim A$1m when they compete against tennis' top professionals - including top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle before the Australian Grand Slam

Tournament officials of the Australian Open have unveiled the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will pit 10 amateur players against top-ranked players in a knockout tournament at the tournament grounds

How the Event Will Work

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to decide who serves or receives, and the competitor securing the point will progress to the next round

The victor of the event will receive a significant cash prize

Contextually, players who reached the final four of the main draw competitions in the last edition won over a million Australian dollars

Earlier Similar Events

The American Grand Slam hosted a restructured, independent combined gender tournament in August which motivated top singles players to take part, with the winners receiving a million-dollar prize

The year's first major held its debut quick-fire event earlier this year, but the cash prize was sixty thousand Australian dollars and it generated little publicity

Andrey Rublev was the single high-ranked athlete participating, and his progress came to an end when he sent the single service opportunity permitted into the mesh in his penultimate round

Competition Specifics

Organizers have not detailed exactly how the event will work, but it is anticipated to mirror a similar format to this year's edition

The professionals will be allowed to serve once and the amateurs on two occasions - as is the norm in standard play

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

The last matches will occur in a night session instead of 1pm local time

Entry Requirements

Any Australians - or foreign participants who have registered with the national federation - can participate in 'single-point competition' events at their community centers

The victors of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every state and territory selected to compete in the 'final competition' in a evening match on mid-January

There will also be a qualifying draw in late year which everyday players, lower ranked pros, celebrities and athletic celebrities can compete in

It begins on early January and the two winners will advance to the midweek 'grand finale' with the other eight amateurs and elite competitors

"No matter your experience, the ultimate winner will walk away with the award. Entries will open soon at clubs throughout the nation"

Tournament officials mentioned there were "more big names to be unveiled imminently", while the tournament site mentioned "celebrities" would be involved