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Recreational competitors will have the possibility to earn a seven-figure prize when they face world-class athletes - featuring world number one Carlos Alcaraz - in a single-point showdown before January's Australian Open

Event planners of the year's first Grand Slam have announced the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit a dozen non-professionals against top-ranked players in a knockout tournament at the Australian Open venue

How the Tournament Functions

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to determine who gets to serve or return, and the competitor securing the point will advance to the subsequent phase

The winner of the event will receive a significant cash prize

For comparison, players who advanced to the final four of the main draw competitions in the last edition won over a million Australian dollars

Past Similar Events

The New York major staged a restructured, separate combined gender tournament in August which prompted top singles players to compete, with the champions receiving one million US dollars

The year's first major held its debut quick-fire event in the current season, but the total purse was a smaller amount and it generated little publicity

The Russian player was the single high-ranked athlete participating, and his run came to an end when he sent the sole serving chance allowed failing to clear the net in his last eight match

Event Information

Planners have not detailed exactly how the event will work, but it is anticipated to mirror a similar format to the previous version

The elite players will be allowed to serve once and the amateurs twice - as is the standard practice in conventional tennis

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

The last matches will take place in a evening slot instead of midday timing

Participation Details

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have registered with the governing body - can participate in 'quick-match event' tournaments at their community centers

The victors of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a random pairing, with a single non-professional from every geographic division selected to take part in the 'grand finale' in a night session on mid-January

There will also be a entry tournament in December which non-professionals, aspiring competitors, well-known figures and sport stars can enter

It starts on the starting date and the two winners will qualify for the midweek 'championship match' with the additional everyday players and top-ranked athletes

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the ultimate winner will walk away with the award. Registrations will start imminently at clubs throughout the nation"

Tournament officials mentioned there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the official website said "well-known figures" would be participating