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Amateur players are getting the chance to win a seven-figure prize when they take on tennis' top professionals - featuring world number one Carlos Alcaraz - in a single-point showdown leading up to the Australian Grand Slam

Event planners of the year's first Grand Slam have announced the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will pit a dozen non-professionals against elite athletes in a single-elimination format at Melbourne Park

How the Tournament Functions

Competitors are set to play 'the decision-making game' to determine who serves or receives, and the player who wins the point will move forward to the next round

The winner of the event will receive £490,000

For comparison, players who reached the final four of the main draw competitions in the last edition won over a million Australian dollars

Past Related Competitions

The New York major staged a restructured, independent mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which prompted top singles players to participate, with the victors receiving one million US dollars

The Australian Open held its debut One Point Slam in the current season, but the prize fund was A$60,000 and it had limited exposure

The Russian player was the sole elite competitor competing, and his campaign concluded when he put the single service opportunity allowed into the mesh in his quarter-final

Competition Specifics

Organizers have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is projected to emulate a akin setup to the previous version

The elite players will be allowed to make one service and the amateurs on two occasions - as is the norm in standard play

While it is not certain how the bracket will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the site will be the primary court rather than the secondary venue

The concluding rounds will be held in a evening slot instead of midday timing

Participation Requirements

Domestic competitors - or overseas competitors who have registered with the governing body - can participate in 'quick-match event' competitions at their local tennis clubs

The victors of the local competitions will then go into a random pairing, with an everyday competitor from every state and territory chosen to participate in the 'grand finale' in a evening match on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a qualifying draw in the final month which non-professionals, aspiring competitors, famous personalities and sport stars can participate in

It commences on early January and the pair of champions will advance to the midweek 'final showdown' with the remaining non-professionals and 10 professionals

"No matter your experience, the overall victor will receive the award. Entries will start imminently at clubs across the country"

Tournament officials mentioned there were "more big names to be revealed shortly", while the tournament site indicated "celebrities" would be taking part