Alcaraz Set to Compete Against Non-Professionals in $1 Million Winner-Takes-All Event

Everyday tennis enthusiasts will have the possibility to earn A$1m when they compete against tennis' top professionals - featuring top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz - in a one-point battle leading up to January's Australian Open

Event planners of the year's first Grand Slam have unveiled the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pair 10 amateur players against elite athletes in a knockout tournament at the Australian Open venue

This Innovative Competition Operates

Players will play 'rock, paper, scissors' to determine who gets to serve or return, and the competitor securing the point will advance to the following stage

The victor of the event will earn £490,000

For comparison, players who reached the penultimate round of the men's or women's singles in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Previous Related Competitions

The New York major staged a redesigned, standalone combined gender tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to participate, with the victors receiving a million-dollar prize

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

Andrey Rublev was the single high-ranked athlete involved, and his run concluded when he directed the one and only serve granted into the net in his penultimate round

Tournament Specifics

Officials have not detailed exactly how the event will work, but it is anticipated to mirror a similar format to the previous version

The professionals will be granted to make one service and the everyday players two times - as is the norm in conventional tennis

While it is unclear how the pairings will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the site will be the primary court rather than the secondary venue

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

Entry Information

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have registered with Tennis Australia - can enter 'quick-match event' competitions at their neighborhood facilities

The winners of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a random pairing, with one amateur player from every geographic division picked to compete in the 'final competition' in a night session on mid-January

There will also be a preliminary competition in late year which everyday players, aspiring competitors, well-known figures and sports personalities can compete in

It begins on the starting date and the successful competitors will qualify for the midweek 'grand finale' with the additional everyday players and 10 professionals

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the overall victor will claim the prize. Entries will open soon at facilities nationwide"

Event organizers stated there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the official website said "well-known figures" would be taking part