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Amateur players will have the possibility to claim a seven-figure prize when they compete against elite players - featuring world number one the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown prior to January's Australian Open

Event planners of the Melbourne major have revealed the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will pit 10 amateur players against top-ranked players in a elimination competition at the tournament grounds

This Innovative Event Will Work

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to decide who takes the serve or return position, and the player who wins the point will move forward to the next round

The winner of the event will take home a significant cash prize

Contextually, players who reached the semi-finals of the main draw competitions in the previous year's tournament won substantial prize money

Past Similar Events

The US Open hosted a restructured, separate mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to participate, with the champions receiving one million US dollars

The Australian Open held its first-ever single-point competition earlier this year, but the total purse was a smaller amount and it generated little publicity

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor participating, and his run finished when he directed the one and only serve permitted failing to clear the net in his last eight match

Competition Specifics

Organizers have not detailed exactly how the event will work, but it is anticipated to emulate a similar format to the previous version

The elite players will be granted to serve once and the non-professionals twice - as is the norm in traditional tennis

While it is unclear how the pairings will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the site will be the main stadium rather than the alternative court

The final stages will take place in a night session instead of midday timing

Competitor Information

Domestic competitors - or international players who have enrolled with the national federation - can participate in 'quick-match event' events at their neighborhood facilities

The victors of the community events will then go into a draw, with an everyday competitor from every geographic division chosen to participate in the 'championship round' in a night session on the specified date

There will also be a preliminary competition in December which non-professionals, aspiring competitors, well-known figures and sports personalities can participate in

It starts on the starting date and the two winners will qualify for the following day's 'championship match' with the additional everyday players and top-ranked athletes

"No matter your experience, the final champion will receive the prize. Applications will begin shortly at clubs throughout the nation"

Competition planners said there were "further celebrities to be announced soon", while the tournament site indicated "well-known figures" would be involved