It’s not the $1 million which was on offer just before the Australian Open, but the $250 voucher at stake at Emu Point Tennis Club’s AO 1 Point Slam competition on Saturday could lead to greater things.
It’s the first step in a journey which could end up in Melbourne and a spot in the draw against other 1 Point Slam champs.
The 1 Point Slam was a huge hit at the Australian Open earlier this year when a Sydney-based NSW State champion took home the life-changing prize after winning sudden-death matches, each lasting a single point.
Professionals like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev took part in Melbourne but fell by the wayside as unheralded Aussie amateur Jordan Smith prevailed.
Serving is decided by a rock-paper-scissors contest and after that the rules are simple — whoever wins the point advances while the loser is eliminated.
Tennis Australia have opened up the concept to local clubs with Emu Point the first club off the rank in Albany, Breaksea Electrical providing the winner with a $250 voucher.
Anyone over the age of 12 with a Tennis ID number can take part with the winner progressing to Perth and from there possibly to the event in Melbourne during the Open’s first week.
Entries cost $10 and players should register by November 6 via the tournament page on the Tennis Australia website and searching 1pt slam.
The fun is due to start with a briefing at 4pm with the action being served up from 4.30pm.
Organiser Ellen Weetman said the club was hoping the event would be a fun money raiser.
“The entry fee is a fundraiser for the club to contribute towards kick-starting some programs to offer more opportunities for juniors and the wider community at the club,” she said.
“We have bought some equipment which will enable us to get younger kids involved as sometimes when there’s an older sibling playing, the younger ones want to have a go.
“We have also just started junior social tennis.”
Top local players like Sam Graham, from Emu Point, have registered while the women’s draw so far contains names like Albany’s Deb Mancini, plus Weetman and her mother Louise Nolan.
About 20 players are in the draw so far with Weetman hoping to hit 32 by Friday’s closing date for entries.
“Maybe we’ll see Sam Graham from Emu Point versus Carlos Alcaraz battling it out at Melbourne Park,” she said.
The last man and woman standing at the State Championships will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Melbourne to compete in the national qualifiers.
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