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Everyday tennis enthusiasts are being offered the possibility to win A$1m when they take on world-class athletes - including top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown before January's Australian Open

Event planners of the year's first Grand Slam have unveiled the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will pit everyday competitors against elite athletes in a single-elimination format at the tournament grounds

This Innovative Competition Operates

Players will play 'the classic hand game' to determine who serves or receives, and the competitor securing the point will advance to the next round

The winner of the event will receive £490,000

For comparison, players who made it to the semi-finals of the men's or women's singles in the last edition won A$1.1m

Earlier Similar Events

The US Open hosted a restructured, standalone mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to participate, with the winners receiving $1m

The Australian Open held its first-ever quick-fire event in the current season, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it received minimal attention

One top competitor was the only top-10 player competing, and his run concluded when he put the one and only serve allowed into the mesh in his penultimate round

Competition Details

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

The elite players will be allowed to serve once and the everyday players two times - as is the norm in traditional tennis

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

The last matches will take place in a evening slot instead of early afternoon

Participation Information

Any Australians - or foreign participants who have registered with Tennis Australia - can participate in 'One Point Slam' tournaments at their community centers

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a selection process, with an everyday competitor from every state and territory selected to compete in the 'grand finale' in a evening match on mid-January

There will also be a qualifying draw in late year which everyday players, lower ranked pros, famous personalities and sport stars can compete in

It begins on Monday, 12 January and the two winners will qualify for the following day's 'final showdown' with the remaining non-professionals and top-ranked athletes

"Regardless of your skill level, the overall victor will receive the prize. Applications will begin shortly at facilities nationwide"

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