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Everyday tennis enthusiasts are being offered the chance to claim a seven-figure prize when they compete against tennis' top professionals - including world number one the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point prior to the year's first major

Tournament officials of the Melbourne major have revealed the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pair 10 amateur players against elite athletes in a single-elimination format at Melbourne Park

The Unique Tournament Functions

Competitors are set to play 'the decision-making game' to decide who takes the serve or return position, and the competitor securing the point will move forward to the next round

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

Contextually, players who advanced to the penultimate round of the main draw competitions in the last edition won A$1.1m

Earlier Related Competitions

The US Open hosted a revamped, independent combined gender tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to compete, with the victors receiving $1m

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

One top competitor was the single high-ranked athlete involved, and his campaign came to an end when he put the one and only serve allowed into the mesh in his penultimate round

Event Information

Organizers have not said exactly how the event will operate, but it is projected to mirror a similar format to the previous version

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

While it is not certain 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 be held in a evening slot instead of midday timing

Entry Requirements

Any Australians - or foreign participants who have registered with Tennis Australia - can compete in 'quick-match event' competitions at their neighborhood facilities

The champions of the local competitions will then go into a selection process, with an everyday competitor from every state and territory chosen to take part in the 'grand finale' in a night session on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a entry tournament in late year which everyday players, developing professionals, famous personalities and sports personalities can compete in

It begins on early January and the successful competitors will advance to the following day's 'championship match' with the additional everyday players and top-ranked athletes

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the overall victor will receive the prize. Entries will open soon at venues throughout the nation"

Tournament officials stated there were "further celebrities to be announced soon", while the tournament site mentioned "celebrities" would be involved