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Amateur players are getting an opportunity to win a seven-figure prize when they face world-class athletes - including leading player Carlos Alcaraz - in a winner-takes-all point leading up to January's Australian Open

Tournament officials of the Australian Open have unveiled the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit everyday competitors against top-ranked players in a knockout tournament at the Australian Open venue

How the Competition Operates

Participants must play 'the classic hand game' to determine who gets to serve or return, and whoever wins the point will progress to the next round

The champion of the event will earn approximately half a million pounds

For comparison, players who reached the semi-finals of the main draw competitions in the previous year's tournament won substantial prize money

Past Related Competitions

The US Open staged a revamped, separate mixed doubles tournament in late summer which prompted top singles players to compete, with the victors receiving a million-dollar prize

The Melbourne tournament held its first-ever single-point competition earlier this year, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it generated little publicity

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor competing, and his campaign finished when he sent the single service opportunity permitted failing to clear the net in his last eight match

Tournament Information

Officials have not specified precisely how the event will operate, but it is expected to follow a similar format to this year's edition

The top competitors will be granted to make one service and the non-professionals two times - as is the norm in conventional tennis

While it is uncertain how the draw will work, there will be several competitive phases and the venue will be the main stadium rather than the secondary venue

The concluding rounds will be held in a evening slot instead of early afternoon

Participation Information

Domestic competitors - or international players who have enrolled with Tennis Australia - can participate in 'One Point Slam' tournaments at their local tennis clubs

The winners of the community events will then go into a selection process, with one amateur player from every state and territory chosen to take part in the 'championship round' in a evening match on the specified date

There will also be a preliminary competition in the final month which everyday players, aspiring competitors, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can participate in

It commences on Monday, 12 January and the two winners will go into Wednesday's 'grand finale' with the other eight amateurs and top-ranked athletes

"No matter your experience, the ultimate winner will claim the prize. Entries will start imminently at facilities across the country"

Event organizers mentioned there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the tournament site mentioned "well-known figures" would be involved