Carlos Alcaraz and multiple other top tennis stars will face off against amateur players at this summer’s Australian Open, as part of a brand new ‘one-point’ knockout tournament that will see the winner bank A$1million (£540,000).
The exciting new event will see ten amateur players go head-to-head against 22 of the world’s best stars.
Matches will consist of only one point, with the winner of that point advancing to the next round of the tournament. The loser will be eliminated.
Participants will play a game of ‘rock, paper, scissors’ to establish who serves and receives. The loser of each match will be eliminated from the event.
Organisers are calling the new tournament the ‘Million Dollar One Point Slam’. It will work in the same way as a regular elimination draw and will take place at Melbourne Park in the weeks leading up to this summer’s Grand Slam.
While finer details of the tournament are yet to be revealed, including how the draw will work, the winner – whether they are a professional player or are an amateur – will bank the $1m prize.
Carlos Alcaraz (pictured) is set to face off against amateur players at this year’s Australian Open
It comes as tournament director Craig Tiley (pictured) has announced a new knockout tournament called the ‘One Point Slam’ that will see 22 pros take on 10 amateurs in the opening week of the Grand Slam, with the overall winner walking away with $1million
Matches will be only one-point long, with the winner of the point advancing, while the loser will be elminiated. Competitors will play ‘rock, paper, scissors’ to decide who serves and receives
Qualifying for the tournament is set to take place in Australia and in Melbourne during the opening week of the tournament, while the final of the Million Dollar One Point Slam, will be played at Rod Laver Arena.
Those registered with Tennis Australia can enter to be a part of the competition.
‘I can reveal today that World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz will headline the pro player line-up in the Million Dollar 1 Point Slam – a thrilling new initiative where one point could win you $1 million,’ Tournament Director Craig Tiley said on Tuesday.
‘Entries will open soon at clubs across the country, and during Opening Week, finalists will compete for a chance to face the pros on Rod Laver Arena.
‘With more big names to be announced soon, you now have a million reasons to pick up a racquet and get ready for January.’
It comes as the Australian Open, last year increased its prize fund for the winners, with Ben Shelton, Alexander Rublev, Paula Badosa and Iga Swiatek all receiving $1.1m for reaching the semi-finals of both the men’s and women’s singles events.
Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka both received $3.5m for being crowned respective men’s and women’s Grand Slam champions.
