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Everyday tennis enthusiasts are getting the possibility to earn a seven-figure prize when they take on elite players - headed by top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle prior to the year's first major

Tournament officials of the year's first Grand Slam have revealed the Million Dollar One Point Slam, 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

Participants must play 'rock, paper, scissors' to determine who takes the serve or return position, and the competitor securing the point will advance to the next round

The winner of the event will receive £490,000

For comparison, players who advanced to the final four of the primary tournaments in the last edition won A$1.1m

Previous Comparable Tournaments

The New York major hosted a restructured, standalone combined gender tournament in August which prompted top singles players to take part, with the winners receiving one million US dollars

The year's first major held its debut quick-fire event earlier this year, but the total purse was sixty thousand Australian dollars and it generated little publicity

The Russian player was the single high-ranked athlete participating, and his run finished when he directed the single service opportunity granted failing to clear the net in his last eight match

Event Information

Planners have not said exactly how the event will operate, but it is anticipated to follow a similar format to the previous version

The top competitors will be allowed to serve once and the everyday players on two occasions - as is the norm in conventional tennis

While it is unclear how the bracket will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the location will be the primary court rather than the alternative court

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

Competitor Information

Domestic competitors - or overseas competitors who have enrolled with the national federation - can enter 'quick-match event' competitions at their local tennis clubs

The champions of the community events will then go into a draw, with one amateur player from every state and territory selected to compete in the 'championship round' in a night session on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a qualifying draw in the final month which non-professionals, developing professionals, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can compete in

It starts on the starting date and the two winners will qualify for the midweek 'championship match' with the other eight amateurs and top-ranked athletes

"No matter your experience, the overall victor will claim the reward. Applications will begin shortly at clubs nationwide"

Event organizers stated there were "further celebrities to be revealed shortly", while the tournament site indicated "celebrities" would be taking part