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Everyday tennis enthusiasts will have the possibility to earn one million Australian dollars when they compete against world-class athletes - featuring top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown leading up to the Australian Grand Slam

Organizers of the Australian Open have announced the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pair everyday competitors against 22 professionals in a elimination competition at Melbourne Park

This Innovative Tournament Functions

Players will play 'rock, paper, scissors' to decide who gets to serve or return, and the player who wins the point will advance to the subsequent phase

The winner of the event will take home a significant cash prize

Contextually, players who advanced to the penultimate round of the main draw competitions in the last edition won over a million Australian dollars

Previous Comparable Tournaments

The US Open hosted a revamped, independent combined gender tournament in late summer which encouraged top singles players to participate, with the champions receiving one million US dollars

The Australian Open held its debut quick-fire event this year, but the prize fund was sixty thousand Australian dollars and it generated little publicity

The Russian player was the only top-10 player competing, and his progress finished when he sent the one and only serve permitted failing to clear the net in his penultimate round

Competition Specifics

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

The top competitors will be permitted to have a single serve and the everyday players two times - as is the norm in traditional tennis

While it is uncertain how the bracket will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the venue will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The concluding rounds will occur in a evening slot instead of 1pm local time

Participation Details

Local players - or foreign participants who have signed up with the governing body - can compete in 'quick-match event' competitions at their community centers

The winners of the community events will then go into a random pairing, with a single non-professional from every state and territory picked to participate in the 'championship round' in a nighttime event on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a entry tournament in late year which amateurs, lower ranked pros, celebrities and sports personalities can participate in

It begins on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will advance to the midweek 'final showdown' with the other eight amateurs and elite competitors

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the ultimate winner will receive the reward. Registrations will open soon at clubs throughout the nation"

Event organizers stated there were "additional stars to be revealed shortly", while the tournament site mentioned "famous personalities" would be participating