Carlos Alcaraz Set to Compete Against Amateurs in Seven-Figure Winner-Takes-All Event

Recreational competitors will have the possibility to claim A$1m when they face tennis' top professionals - featuring world number one Carlos Alcaraz - in a winner-takes-all point before the year's first major

Event planners of the Melbourne major have unveiled the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will match 10 amateur players against top-ranked players in a single-elimination format at the Australian Open venue

This Innovative Event Will Work

Competitors are set to play 'the decision-making game' to decide who serves or receives, and whoever wins the point will progress to the subsequent phase

The winner of the event will take home a significant cash prize

For comparison, players who reached the penultimate round of the main draw competitions in the last edition won A$1.1m

Previous Similar Events

The US Open hosted a restructured, independent mixed doubles tournament in August which encouraged top singles players to participate, with the champions receiving one million US dollars

The Australian Open held its debut quick-fire event earlier this year, but the prize fund was a smaller amount and it had limited exposure

One top competitor was the only top-10 player participating, and his progress concluded when he directed the sole serving chance granted into the net in his last eight match

Tournament Details

Planners have not said exactly how the event will operate, but it is expected to emulate a comparable structure to this year's edition

The professionals will be permitted to have a single serve and the amateurs on two occasions - as is the norm in conventional tennis

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

The final stages will occur in a evening slot instead of 1pm local time

Participation Requirements

Local players - or overseas competitors who have enrolled with the national federation - can enter 'One Point Slam' competitions at their neighborhood facilities

The champions of the local competitions will then go into a selection process, with a single non-professional from every state and territory picked to compete in the 'championship round' in a evening match on mid-January

There will also be a qualifying draw in the final month which everyday players, aspiring competitors, well-known figures and sport stars can participate in

It begins on the starting date and the successful competitors will qualify for the following day's 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and elite competitors

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the overall victor will walk away with the reward. Applications will open soon at facilities nationwide"

Event organizers mentioned there were "further celebrities to be unveiled imminently", while the official website mentioned "celebrities" would be taking part