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Amateur players are getting an opportunity to win a seven-figure prize when they take on tennis' top professionals - including leading player the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle leading up to the Australian Grand Slam

Tournament officials of the Australian Open have revealed the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will pair 10 amateur players against top-ranked players in a single-elimination format at the tournament grounds

This Innovative Event Will Work

Players will play 'the decision-making game' to establish who takes the serve or return position, and the competitor securing the point will advance to the next round

The victor of the event will receive £490,000

Contextually, players who advanced to the penultimate round of the primary tournaments in the previous year's tournament won over a million Australian dollars

Earlier Related Competitions

The American Grand Slam staged a revamped, independent mixed doubles tournament in August which encouraged top singles players to participate, with the victors receiving $1m

The Australian Open held its debut 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 competing, and his campaign came to an end when he directed the sole serving chance permitted into the net in his last eight match

Event Details

Organizers have not said exactly how the event will function, but it is expected to follow a similar format to the most recent iteration

The elite players will be permitted to have a single serve and the non-professionals on two occasions - as is the norm in traditional tennis

While it is uncertain how the pairings will work, there will be several competitive phases and the venue will be the main stadium rather than the secondary venue

The last matches will occur in a nighttime schedule instead of early afternoon

Entry Requirements

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have enrolled with the national federation - can participate in 'single-point competition' tournaments at their local tennis clubs

The winners of the community events will then go into a draw, with an everyday competitor from every state and territory chosen to compete in the 'grand finale' in a night session on mid-January

There will also be a entry tournament in late year which amateurs, developing professionals, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can compete in

It begins on the starting date and the two winners will advance to Wednesday's 'final showdown' with the other eight amateurs and 10 professionals

"Regardless of your skill level, the final champion will walk away with the prize. Registrations will open soon at facilities throughout the nation"

Tournament officials said there were "more big names to be unveiled imminently", while the tournament site mentioned "well-known figures" would be participating