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Everyday tennis enthusiasts will have the possibility to claim one million Australian dollars when they compete against elite players - featuring world number one the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown prior to the Australian Grand Slam

Organizers of the year's first Grand Slam have revealed the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit a dozen non-professionals against elite athletes in a knockout tournament at the tournament grounds

This Innovative Competition Operates

Players will play 'the decision-making game' to decide who takes the serve or return position, and the competitor securing the point will move forward to the following stage

The victor of the event will take home £490,000

By comparison, players who made it to the final four of the primary tournaments in the last edition won A$1.1m

Previous Related Competitions

The US Open organized a revamped, independent mixed doubles tournament in late summer which prompted top singles players to take part, with the champions receiving one million US dollars

The Australian Open held its first-ever single-point competition in the current season, but the cash prize was sixty thousand Australian dollars and it had limited exposure

The Russian player was the only top-10 player competing, and his run came to an end when he sent the one and only serve granted into the net in his quarter-final

Event Information

Planners have not said exactly how the event will work, but it is expected to emulate a akin setup to the most recent iteration

The professionals will be allowed to have a single serve and the everyday players on two occasions - as is the norm in traditional tennis

While it is uncertain how the pairings will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the location will be the main stadium rather than the secondary venue

The concluding rounds will be held in a night session instead of 1pm local time

Competitor Requirements

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have signed up with Tennis Australia - can participate in 'quick-match event' tournaments at their neighborhood facilities

The winners of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a random pairing, with one amateur player from every region and area picked to compete in the 'championship round' in a evening match on mid-January

There will also be a qualifying draw in December which amateurs, aspiring competitors, famous personalities and sports personalities can compete in

It commences on the starting date and the two winners will qualify for the midweek 'grand finale' with the other eight amateurs and elite competitors

"Regardless of your skill level, the overall victor will walk away with the award. Entries will start imminently at clubs across the country"

Tournament officials mentioned there were "additional stars to be announced soon", while the tournament site said "well-known figures" would be involved