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Recreational competitors will have an opportunity to earn a seven-figure prize when they take on tennis' top professionals - featuring leading player the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown before January's Australian Open

Tournament officials of the Australian Open have announced the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pit everyday competitors against elite athletes in a elimination competition at the Australian Open venue

The Unique Tournament Functions

Participants must play 'rock, paper, scissors' to establish who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will progress to the next round

The champion of the event will earn a significant cash prize

By comparison, players who advanced to the penultimate round of the men's or women's singles in the previous year's tournament won over a million Australian dollars

Previous Related Competitions

The American Grand Slam staged a revamped, standalone mixed doubles tournament in August which encouraged top singles players to compete, with the victors receiving a million-dollar prize

The Australian Open held its debut quick-fire event in the current season, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it had limited exposure

The Russian player was the only top-10 player involved, and his campaign finished when he sent the one and only serve permitted failing to clear the net in his quarter-final

Tournament Information

Planners have not specified precisely how the event will operate, but it is anticipated to emulate a comparable structure to this year's edition

The elite players will be granted to have a single serve and the amateurs two times - as is the norm in conventional tennis

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

The last matches will take place in a night session instead of midday timing

Entry Details

Domestic competitors - or overseas competitors who have signed up with the governing body - can enter 'One Point Slam' competitions at their local tennis clubs

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with one amateur player from every region and area chosen to participate in the 'championship round' in a night session on the specified date

There will also be a entry tournament in December which non-professionals, lower ranked pros, well-known figures and sport stars can enter

It starts on Monday, 12 January and the two winners will qualify for the following day's 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and 10 professionals

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

Competition planners mentioned there were "more big names to be announced soon", while the event portal said "famous personalities" would be taking part