AO 1 Point Slam gives amateur tennis players the chance to take on pros

Ever wanted to play Nick Kyrgios or Aryna Sabalenka? Aus Open organisers are giving grassroots players the chance to take on the world’s biggest stars. Here’s how to register for the opportunity.

Attention grassroots tennis players: this is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to take on the world’s biggest aces at the Australian Open.

Entries for AO 1 Point Slam – a grand slam-first initiative that will see club and community players face off against global stars in a unique new Melbourne showdown – open today, January 3.

And, the Herald Sun can reveal, Aussies Nick Kyrgios, Ajla Tomljanovic, Alexei Popyrin and Alex de Minaur are among the pros organisers are targeting to participate in the event, to be staged on January 9 during AO Opening Week, presented by the Herald Sun.

The same goes for fan favourites Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Victoria Azarenka, Emma Raducanu, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev, Grigor Dimitrov and Holger Rune.

Australian Open boss Craig Tiley is calling on players who have dreamt of taking on the world’s best on the biggest stage to register, with $60,000 in prize money and the ultimate bragging rights on the line.

Nenyasha Manzvera, of Royal South Yarra Tennis Club, and Zahra Arthur, of Beaumaris Tennis Club, practising in the hope of taking on the pros in the inaugural AO 1 Point Slam on Kia Arena on January 9. Picture: Tennis Australia/Fiona Hamilton

“This event is a celebration of the millions of Australians who love tennis and compete at the grassroots level,” Tiley said.

“It’s for anyone who’s ever wondered what it’s like to face a top player, or feel the pressure of serving for the match in a packed arena.”

The event will be played on Kia Arena and feature 16 amateurs – eight men and eight women – selected to play 16 pros in the first round.

Each match is decided by one point – the player who wins it progresses to the next round, while their opponent is knocked out. Amateurs get two serves per point while the pros get one, and 31 “matches” will be played in total.

Fans with a January 9 AO Opening Week ground pass – which costs $15 for adults and $10 for kids – or a charity match ticket can attend the spectacle.

Organisers of AO 1 Point Slam are targeting Nick Kyrgios, pictured playing at the Brisbane International, on their hit-list. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Two-time AO champ Aryna Sabalenka is also on the hit-list for 1 Point Slam. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images at Brisbane International

Amateurs may also be taking on Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic … Picture: Jamie Squire/Getty Images/AFP

… or reigning AO men’s champion 's Jannik Sinner of Italy. Picture: Kena Betancur / AFP

Grassroots players can apply to participate by visiting tennis.com.au and answering, in 25 words or less: “why should you have the chance to take on a pro in the AO 1 Point Slam?” Entrants must be aged 14 or older, hold a Competitive Player Profile, have an active Universal Tennis Rating of 4.0 or higher, and apply by noon on January 7.

AO Opening Week runs from January 6-11 and also includes four nights of charity matches featuring the likes of Novak Djokovic, de Minaur, Sabalenka and Sinner, AO qualifying, open practice on Rod Laver Arena, Kids Tennis Day and more.

For more information about AO Opening Week, presented by the Herald Sun, visit ausopen.com/whats-on

WHAT IS AO 1 POINT SLAM?

-16 amateur tennis players (eight men and eight women) will be selected to play 16 pros in the first round

-Each match is decided by one point – the player who wins the point wins the match and progresses to the next round, the player who loses the point is knocked out

-Amateurs get two serves, pros get just one

-Five rounds or 31 matches will be played in total

-The winner takes home $60,000 in prize money

-AO Opening Week ground pass holders and charity match ticket holders can attend the tournament at 1pm on January 9 at Kia Arena

HOW TO ENTER

-Visit tennis.com.au and answer, in 25 words or less, “why should you have the chance to take on a Pro in the AO 1 Point Slam?”

-Entrants must hold a Competitive Player Profile, be aged 14 or older, have an active universal Tennis Rating of 4.0 or higher

-Entries open at noon on January 3 and close at noon on January 7