Carlos Alcaraz to Face Everyday Players in Million Dollar Single-Point Showdown

Everyday tennis enthusiasts are getting the chance to win one million Australian dollars when they face tennis' top professionals - including top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz - in a single-point showdown before January's Australian Open

Event planners of the year's first Grand Slam have unveiled the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will match a dozen non-professionals against top-ranked players in a single-elimination format at the Australian Open venue

This Innovative Event Will Work

Players will play 'the classic hand game' to establish who takes the serve or return position, and the competitor securing the point will advance to the subsequent phase

The winner of the event will take home £490,000

For comparison, players who advanced to the semi-finals of the primary tournaments in the 2025 Australian Open won over a million Australian dollars

Past Similar Events

The US Open organized a restructured, separate mixed doubles tournament in late summer which motivated top singles players to take part, with the winners receiving $1m

The year's first major held its debut single-point competition earlier this year, but the total purse was sixty thousand Australian dollars and it received minimal attention

The Russian player was the sole elite competitor competing, and his run finished when he put the sole serving chance allowed failing to clear the net in his last eight match

Event Specifics

Officials have not specified precisely how the event will function, but it is expected to follow a akin setup to the most recent iteration

The elite players will be allowed to serve once and the everyday players on two occasions - as is the standard practice in standard play

While it is not certain how the draw will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the venue will be the main stadium rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The final stages will be held in a evening slot instead of early afternoon

Entry Requirements

Local players - or international players who have signed up with Tennis Australia - can compete in 'One Point Slam' events at their community centers

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with one amateur player from every geographic division chosen to participate in the 'final competition' in a evening match on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a qualifying draw in the final month which amateurs, aspiring competitors, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can enter

It starts on the starting date and the pair of champions will qualify for the midweek 'final showdown' with the remaining non-professionals and top-ranked athletes

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the overall victor will walk away with the prize. Registrations will start imminently at facilities nationwide"

Tournament officials said there were "further celebrities to be announced soon", while the event portal indicated "famous personalities" would be involved