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Amateur players will have the possibility to claim a seven-figure prize when they compete against tennis' top professionals - headed by world number one the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point prior to the Australian Grand Slam

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

This Innovative Event Will Work

Competitors are set to play 'the decision-making game' to decide who gets to serve or return, and whoever wins the point will progress to the following stage

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

Contextually, players who reached the penultimate round of the men's or women's singles in the previous year's tournament won substantial prize money

Past Similar Events

The New York major hosted a redesigned, separate combined gender tournament in late summer which motivated top singles players to participate, with the victors receiving $1m

The Melbourne tournament held its debut quick-fire event earlier this year, but the prize fund was a smaller amount and it received minimal attention

The Russian player was the sole elite competitor competing, and his progress concluded when he sent the one and only serve permitted into the net in his last eight match

Tournament Details

Planners have not specified precisely how the event will work, but it is projected to follow a comparable structure to this year's edition

The top competitors will be allowed to make one service and the everyday players twice - as is the usual procedure in traditional tennis

While it is unclear 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 final stages will take place in a evening slot instead of 1pm local time

Competitor Information

Domestic competitors - or international players who have signed up with the national federation - can enter 'single-point competition' competitions at their community centers

The winners of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a random pairing, with an everyday competitor from every region and area picked to participate in the 'final competition' in a night session on the specified date

There will also be a qualifying draw in December which amateurs, developing professionals, well-known figures and sport stars can participate in

It starts on the starting date and the pair of champions will advance to the following day's 'grand finale' with the other eight amateurs and elite competitors

"No matter your experience, the ultimate winner will receive the prize. Entries will begin shortly at clubs throughout the nation"

Tournament officials said there were "more big names to be revealed shortly", while the event portal said "well-known figures" would be participating