Alcaraz Ready to Battle Amateurs in Seven-Figure Winner-Takes-All Event
Everyday tennis enthusiasts will have the possibility to claim A$1m when they take on world-class athletes - headed by world number one the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle prior to the Australian Grand Slam
Event planners of the year's first Grand Slam have announced the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pair everyday competitors against 22 professionals in a single-elimination format at the Australian Open venue
This Innovative Competition Operates
Participants must play 'rock, paper, scissors' to establish who gets to serve or return, and whoever wins the point will progress to the subsequent phase
The winner of the event will earn a significant cash prize
Contextually, players who advanced to the semi-finals of the main draw competitions in the previous year's tournament won A$1.1m
Earlier Comparable Tournaments
The American Grand Slam organized a restructured, separate combined gender tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to take part, with the victors receiving one million US dollars
The year's first major held its inaugural quick-fire event earlier this year, but the total purse was sixty thousand Australian dollars and it received minimal attention
Andrey Rublev was the only top-10 player participating, and his run finished when he put the one and only serve allowed into the mesh in his penultimate round
Event Specifics
Officials have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is anticipated to follow a similar format to this year's edition
The professionals will be permitted to make one service and the non-professionals on two occasions - as is the standard practice in conventional tennis
While it is not certain how the bracket will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the location will be the primary court rather than the secondary venue
The final stages will occur in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing
Competitor Requirements
Local players - or overseas competitors who have registered with the national federation - can compete in 'One Point Slam' tournaments at their neighborhood facilities
The winners of the community events will then go into a draw, with one amateur player from every region and area chosen to compete in the 'grand finale' in a nighttime event on the specified date
There will also be a preliminary competition in December which amateurs, lower ranked pros, well-known figures and sports personalities can participate in
It commences on early January and the two winners will qualify for Wednesday's 'grand finale' with the remaining non-professionals and elite competitors
"Regardless of your skill level, the overall victor will receive the reward. Entries will begin shortly at facilities nationwide"
Competition planners mentioned there were "further celebrities to be announced soon", while the tournament site indicated "famous personalities" would be involved