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Everyday tennis enthusiasts are getting an opportunity to claim A$1m when they face world-class athletes - including top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz - in a one-point battle leading up to January's Australian Open

Event planners of the Australian Open have unveiled the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will pair 10 amateur players against top-ranked players in a knockout tournament at Melbourne Park

The Unique Competition Operates

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to determine who takes the serve or return position, and the player who wins the point will move forward to the following stage

The winner of the event will earn £490,000

Contextually, players who reached the penultimate round of the main draw competitions in the last edition won substantial prize money

Past Similar Events

The New York major organized a revamped, independent combined gender tournament in August which motivated top singles players to take part, with the champions 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 generated little publicity

The Russian player was the sole elite competitor involved, and his run finished when he sent the sole serving chance allowed failing to clear the net in his penultimate round

Tournament Information

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

The top competitors will be permitted to make one service and the everyday players on two occasions - as is the norm in traditional tennis

While it is unclear how the draw will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the location will be the primary court rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The final stages will occur in a night session instead of early afternoon

Entry Information

Any Australians - or international players who have registered with the governing body - can enter 'single-point competition' events at their neighborhood facilities

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a random pairing, with one amateur player from every geographic division picked to compete in the 'grand finale' in a night session on the specified date

There will also be a entry tournament in the final month which amateurs, developing professionals, famous personalities and sports personalities can enter

It commences on Monday, 12 January and the two winners will qualify for the midweek 'grand finale' with the other eight amateurs and top-ranked athletes

"No matter your experience, the final champion will walk away with the prize. Entries will start imminently at facilities nationwide"

Competition planners said there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the event portal indicated "well-known figures" would be involved