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Everyday tennis enthusiasts are being offered an opportunity to win A$1m when they take on world-class athletes - including top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz - in a winner-takes-all point prior to the Australian Grand Slam

Tournament officials of the Australian Open have revealed the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit everyday competitors against elite athletes in a knockout tournament at the Australian Open venue

The Unique Competition Operates

Players will play 'the decision-making game' to establish who takes the serve or return position, and the player who wins the point will advance to the following stage

The champion of the event will receive a significant cash prize

Contextually, players who advanced to the semi-finals of the main draw competitions in the last edition won A$1.1m

Previous Similar Events

The US Open hosted a redesigned, standalone mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which encouraged top singles players to compete, with the winners receiving a million-dollar prize

The year's first major held its first-ever quick-fire event earlier this year, but the cash prize was a smaller amount and it received minimal attention

The Russian player was the sole elite competitor involved, and his progress concluded when he sent the single service opportunity allowed failing to clear the net in his quarter-final

Tournament Information

Planners have not specified precisely how the event will operate, but it is expected to follow a comparable structure to the previous version

The professionals will be allowed to serve once and the non-professionals on two occasions - as is the usual procedure in standard play

While it is uncertain how the pairings will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the site will be the main stadium rather than the alternative court

The concluding rounds will take place in a evening slot instead of early afternoon

Competitor Requirements

Local players - or overseas competitors who have signed up with the national federation - can compete in 'One Point Slam' tournaments at their local tennis clubs

The winners of the community events will then go into a random pairing, with one amateur player from every state and territory chosen to compete in the 'championship round' in a evening match on mid-January

There will also be a preliminary competition in late year which non-professionals, lower ranked pros, well-known figures and sport stars can enter

It commences on early January and the pair of champions will qualify for the following day's 'final showdown' with the remaining non-professionals and top-ranked athletes

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the final champion will walk away with the award. Entries will open soon at clubs throughout the nation"

Event organizers stated there were "additional stars to be revealed shortly", while the official website said "famous personalities" would be taking part