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Amateur players are getting the possibility to win a seven-figure prize when they compete against elite players - headed by world number one the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown leading up to January's Australian Open

Event planners of the Melbourne major have announced the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will match everyday competitors against elite athletes in a elimination competition at the tournament grounds

How the Competition Operates

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to determine who serves or receives, and whoever wins the point will advance to the following stage

The victor of the event will take home approximately half a million pounds

By comparison, players who advanced to the penultimate round of the men's or women's singles in the previous year's tournament won substantial prize money

Previous Related Competitions

The New York major hosted a restructured, separate mixed doubles tournament in late summer which motivated top singles players to take part, with the winners receiving $1m

The Melbourne tournament held its first-ever quick-fire event in the current season, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it generated little publicity

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor involved, and his run finished when he sent the one and only serve allowed into the net in his quarter-final

Competition Specifics

Officials have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is anticipated to emulate a similar format to the most recent iteration

The professionals will be granted to serve once and the everyday players twice - as is the usual procedure in conventional tennis

While it is not certain how the bracket will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the location will be the main stadium rather than the secondary venue

The concluding rounds will take place in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing

Competitor Details

Any Australians - or international players who have registered with the national federation - can compete in 'single-point competition' tournaments at their local tennis clubs

The winners of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a selection process, with an everyday competitor from every region and area chosen to take part in the 'final competition' in a evening match on mid-January

There will also be a entry tournament in December which everyday players, developing professionals, well-known figures and sports personalities can enter

It starts on the starting date and the successful competitors will advance to Wednesday's 'grand finale' with the remaining non-professionals and top-ranked athletes

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the ultimate winner will receive the award. Applications will begin shortly at clubs nationwide"

Competition planners stated there were "further celebrities to be announced soon", while the tournament site said "celebrities" would be involved