Carlos Alcaraz Ready to Battle Non-Professionals in Million Dollar Winner-Takes-All Event

Amateur players are being offered an opportunity to claim one million Australian dollars when they compete against world-class athletes - featuring leading player the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown prior to the year's first major

Tournament officials of the Australian Open have unveiled the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pit 10 amateur players against elite athletes in a elimination competition at Melbourne Park

How the Event Will Work

Competitors are set to play 'rock, paper, scissors' to establish who serves or receives, and the competitor securing the point will advance to the following stage

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

By comparison, players who made it to the final four of the main draw competitions in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Past Comparable Tournaments

The New York major staged a revamped, separate combined gender tournament in August which prompted top singles players to compete, with the winners receiving $1m

The Melbourne tournament held its inaugural quick-fire event earlier this year, but the prize fund was A$60,000 and it had limited exposure

One top competitor was the single high-ranked athlete participating, and his campaign came to an end when he sent the one and only serve granted failing to clear the net in his last eight match

Competition Information

Officials have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is anticipated to emulate a akin setup to the most recent iteration

The professionals will be granted to have a single serve and the non-professionals on two occasions - as is the norm in traditional tennis

While it is not certain how the pairings will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the site will be the main stadium rather than the secondary venue

The last matches will occur in a night session instead of midday timing

Entry Requirements

Domestic competitors - or international players who have enrolled with the governing body - can compete in 'single-point competition' competitions at their community centers

The winners of the community events will then go into a random pairing, with one amateur player from every region and area selected to participate in the 'championship round' in a night session on the specified date

There will also be a preliminary competition in the final month which everyday players, aspiring competitors, famous personalities and sports personalities can participate in

It starts on Monday, 12 January and the pair of champions will advance to the following day's 'championship match' with the other eight amateurs and top-ranked athletes

"Regardless of your skill level, the ultimate winner will receive the reward. Entries will open soon at clubs across the country"

Event organizers mentioned there were "further celebrities to be announced soon", while the tournament site mentioned "celebrities" would be taking part