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Recreational competitors are getting the possibility to claim one million Australian dollars when they compete against tennis' top professionals - featuring world number one Carlos Alcaraz - in a winner-takes-all point prior to January's Australian Open

Event planners of the Melbourne major have announced the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit 10 amateur players against elite athletes in a knockout tournament at the Australian Open venue

How the Tournament Functions

Participants must play 'rock, paper, scissors' to establish who serves or receives, and the player who wins the point will advance to the subsequent phase

The champion of the event will earn a significant cash prize

By comparison, players who made it to the semi-finals of the main draw competitions in the last edition won substantial prize money

Previous Comparable Tournaments

The New York major organized a revamped, standalone combined gender tournament in August which motivated top singles players to take part, with the victors receiving $1m

The Australian Open held its debut quick-fire event in the current season, but the total purse was sixty thousand Australian dollars and it received minimal attention

One top competitor was the only top-10 player competing, and his progress came to an end when he put the single service opportunity granted failing to clear the net in his penultimate round

Competition Information

Officials have not specified precisely how the event will function, but it is projected to emulate a similar format to the previous version

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

While it is uncertain how the bracket will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the venue will be the primary court rather than the alternative court

The last matches will be held in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing

Competitor Requirements

Any Australians - or international players who have enrolled with Tennis Australia - can enter 'One Point Slam' tournaments at their local tennis clubs

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a random pairing, with an everyday competitor from every state and territory chosen to compete in the 'grand finale' in a evening match on mid-January

There will also be a qualifying draw in late year which amateurs, developing professionals, celebrities and athletic celebrities can enter

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

"Regardless of your skill level, the overall victor will receive the reward. Entries will start imminently at facilities throughout the nation"

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