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Recreational competitors are getting an opportunity to claim one million Australian dollars when they compete against world-class athletes - headed by top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point prior to the Australian Grand Slam

Event planners of the year's first Grand Slam have revealed the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will match 10 amateur players against 22 professionals in a knockout tournament at the Australian Open venue

The Unique Event Will Work

Participants must play 'rock, paper, scissors' to decide who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will move forward to the next round

The champion of the event will earn a significant cash prize

Contextually, players who advanced to the semi-finals of the primary tournaments in the previous year's tournament won over a million Australian dollars

Previous Similar Events

The US Open staged a restructured, separate mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which encouraged top singles players to take part, with the winners receiving one million US dollars

The Melbourne tournament held its first-ever single-point competition this year, but the total purse was a smaller amount and it had limited exposure

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor involved, and his progress finished when he directed the sole serving chance allowed failing to clear the net in his last eight match

Competition Specifics

Officials have not specified precisely how the event will operate, but it is expected to emulate a similar format 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 standard practice in standard play

While it is not certain how the pairings will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the location will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the alternative court

The concluding rounds will be held in a night session instead of early afternoon

Participation Information

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have signed up with the national federation - can participate in 'quick-match event' events at their local tennis clubs

The winners of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a selection process, with one amateur player from every region and area chosen to take part in the 'final competition' in a nighttime event on mid-January

There will also be a qualifying draw in late year which amateurs, developing professionals, famous personalities and athletic celebrities can participate in

It starts on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will advance to Wednesday's 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and top-ranked athletes

"Regardless of your skill level, the overall victor will walk away with the award. Registrations will start imminently at facilities across the country"

Event organizers mentioned there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the event portal indicated "famous personalities" would be involved