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Amateur players will have the chance to earn one million Australian dollars when they compete against tennis' top professionals - including leading player Carlos Alcaraz - in a one-point battle before the year's first major

Tournament officials of the Melbourne major have announced the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will match a dozen non-professionals against top-ranked players in a single-elimination format at Melbourne Park

This Innovative Event Will Work

Participants must play 'the classic hand game' to determine who gets to serve or return, and the competitor securing the point will move forward to the next round

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

Contextually, players who reached the penultimate round of the primary tournaments in the previous year's tournament won A$1.1m

Past Similar Events

The New York major organized a revamped, separate mixed doubles tournament in August which prompted top singles players to take part, with the winners receiving one million US dollars

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

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor competing, and his campaign concluded when he sent the single service opportunity allowed into the mesh in his last eight match

Event Specifics

Officials have not specified precisely how the event will function, but it is expected to mirror a akin setup to this year's edition

The elite players will be granted to serve once and the amateurs on two occasions - as is the standard practice in traditional tennis

While it is not certain how the bracket will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the site will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the alternative court

The last matches will occur in a nighttime schedule instead of early afternoon

Participation Requirements

Any Australians - or international players who have enrolled with the governing body - can enter 'One Point Slam' events at their community centers

The champions of the community events will then go into a random pairing, with one amateur player from every geographic division chosen to participate in the 'final competition' in a nighttime event on the specified date

There will also be a preliminary competition in December which everyday players, developing professionals, famous personalities and sports personalities can enter

It commences on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will qualify for the midweek 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and elite competitors

"Regardless of your skill level, the ultimate winner will walk away with the prize. Applications will open soon at facilities nationwide"

Event organizers said there were "additional stars to be revealed shortly", while the event portal indicated "well-known figures" would be involved