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Recreational competitors are being offered the possibility to claim A$1m when they face world-class athletes - featuring top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown prior to the Australian Grand Slam

Event planners of the Australian Open have unveiled the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will match everyday competitors against top-ranked players in a elimination competition at the tournament grounds

This Innovative Event Will Work

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to determine who serves or receives, and whoever wins the point will progress to the next round

The victor of the event will receive approximately half a million pounds

By comparison, players who advanced to the penultimate round of the primary tournaments in the last edition won A$1.1m

Past Comparable Tournaments

The New York major staged a redesigned, separate mixed doubles tournament in late summer which prompted top singles players to take part, with the champions receiving one million US dollars

The year's first major held its debut single-point competition earlier this year, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it generated little publicity

One top competitor was the single high-ranked athlete competing, and his campaign concluded when he sent the one and only serve allowed into the mesh in his last eight match

Competition Specifics

Organizers have not said exactly how the event will function, but it is anticipated to follow a akin setup to the previous version

The top competitors will be permitted to serve once and the amateurs twice - as is the standard practice in traditional tennis

While it is unclear how the pairings will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the site will be the primary court rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The concluding rounds will occur in a nighttime schedule instead of early afternoon

Competitor Details

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have enrolled with the national federation - can compete in 'single-point competition' competitions at their community centers

The champions of the local competitions will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every geographic division chosen to participate in the 'championship round' in a night session on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a entry tournament in late year which amateurs, developing professionals, celebrities and athletic celebrities can compete in

It commences on the starting date and the pair of champions will advance to Wednesday's 'grand finale' with the other eight amateurs and elite competitors

"Regardless of your skill level, the final champion will receive the reward. Registrations will open soon at facilities across the country"

Event organizers mentioned there were "further celebrities to be revealed shortly", while the event portal said "well-known figures" would be participating