Alcaraz to Face Everyday Players in Million Dollar Single-Point Showdown
Amateur players will have the possibility to win one million Australian dollars when they face world-class athletes - including world number one the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown prior to January's Australian Open
Tournament officials of the year's first Grand Slam have announced the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit a dozen non-professionals against elite athletes in a knockout tournament at the tournament grounds
How the Competition Operates
Participants must play 'the classic hand game' to determine who takes the serve or return position, and the competitor securing the point will advance to the subsequent phase
The champion of the event will receive a significant cash prize
For comparison, players who advanced to the final four of the men's or women's singles in the 2025 Australian Open won A$1.1m
Previous Related Competitions
The New York major staged a restructured, standalone combined gender tournament in August which encouraged top singles players to compete, with the winners receiving $1m
The Australian Open held its first-ever single-point competition in the current season, but the prize fund was A$60,000 and it received minimal attention
One top competitor was the only top-10 player participating, and his run concluded when he put the one and only serve allowed into the net in his quarter-final
Tournament Information
Organizers have not detailed exactly how the event will function, but it is expected to follow a akin setup to the previous version
The elite players will be permitted to serve once and the everyday players twice - as is the norm in conventional tennis
While it is uncertain how the draw will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the venue will be the primary court rather than the alternative court
The last matches will take place in a nighttime schedule instead of 1pm local time
Participation Details
Local players - or overseas competitors who have signed up with the national federation - can compete in 'One Point Slam' competitions at their local tennis clubs
The victors of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with one amateur player from every region and area selected to compete in the 'grand finale' in a evening match on mid-January
There will also be a entry tournament in the final month which non-professionals, developing professionals, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can enter
It begins on early January and the successful competitors will advance to Wednesday's 'grand finale' with the additional everyday players and 10 professionals
"No matter your experience, the final champion will receive the award. Entries will start imminently at clubs nationwide"
Competition planners said there were "further celebrities to be announced soon", while the tournament site mentioned "celebrities" would be participating