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Amateur players will have the possibility to claim A$1m when they face tennis' top professionals - headed by top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle leading up to the year's first major

Tournament officials of the Melbourne major have announced the Million Dollar One Point Slam, which will pair a dozen non-professionals against top-ranked players in a single-elimination format at Melbourne Park

The Unique Tournament Functions

Competitors are set to play 'the decision-making game' to determine who takes the serve or return position, and the competitor securing the point will progress to the next round

The victor of the event will receive £490,000

Contextually, players who reached the penultimate round of the men's or women's singles in the previous year's tournament won over a million Australian dollars

Past Related Competitions

The American Grand Slam hosted a revamped, separate mixed doubles tournament in late summer which prompted top singles players to participate, with the champions receiving $1m

The Australian Open held its inaugural One Point Slam this year, but the prize fund was a smaller amount and it had limited exposure

One top competitor was the only top-10 player involved, and his run finished when he sent the sole serving chance granted into the net in his last eight match

Competition Details

Officials have not said exactly how the event will function, but it is projected to follow a comparable structure to the previous version

The elite players will be permitted to have a single serve and the amateurs two times - as is the usual procedure in traditional tennis

While it is unclear how the bracket will work, there will be several competitive phases and the location will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The concluding rounds will occur in a evening slot instead of midday timing

Participation Information

Domestic competitors - or international players who have registered with the governing body - can compete in 'quick-match event' tournaments at their local tennis clubs

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every state and territory chosen to participate in the 'final competition' in a nighttime event on mid-January

There will also be a qualifying draw in December which amateurs, lower ranked pros, celebrities and sports personalities can participate in

It begins on Monday, 12 January and the two winners will qualify for Wednesday's 'grand finale' with the remaining non-professionals and 10 professionals

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the ultimate winner will walk away with the prize. Registrations will open soon at facilities nationwide"

Tournament officials mentioned there were "more big names to be unveiled imminently", while the official website indicated "celebrities" would be involved