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Recreational competitors are getting the possibility to claim a seven-figure prize when they take on tennis' top professionals - featuring top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point before the year's first major

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 tournament grounds

This Innovative Competition Operates

Players will play 'the classic hand game' to establish who serves or receives, and whoever wins the point will progress to the following stage

The winner of the event will receive £490,000

For comparison, players who advanced to the semi-finals of the main draw competitions in the last edition won over a million Australian dollars

Earlier Similar Events

The US Open staged a restructured, independent mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to participate, with the champions receiving a million-dollar prize

The year's first major held its first-ever One Point Slam earlier this year, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it had limited exposure

One top competitor was the single high-ranked athlete involved, and his progress finished when he directed the one and only serve granted failing to clear the net in his penultimate round

Event Information

Planners have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is expected to mirror a comparable structure to the previous version

The professionals will be granted to make one service and the everyday players twice - as is the norm in standard play

While it is unclear how the pairings will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the location will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the alternative court

The last matches will occur in a evening slot instead of midday timing

Entry Details

Domestic competitors - or overseas competitors who have signed up with Tennis Australia - can enter 'One Point Slam' events at their community centers

The champions of the local competitions will then go into a draw, with an everyday competitor from every region and area chosen to take part in the 'final competition' in a nighttime event on the specified date

There will also be a entry tournament in late year which amateurs, lower ranked pros, celebrities and sport stars can enter

It begins on the starting date and the two winners will advance to the following day's 'grand finale' with the other eight amateurs and top-ranked athletes

"No matter your experience, the final champion will receive the award. Applications will open soon at clubs nationwide"

Tournament officials stated there were "further celebrities to be revealed shortly", while the official website mentioned "famous personalities" would be involved