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Everyday tennis enthusiasts will have the chance to win one million Australian dollars when they face tennis' top professionals - including top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle prior to the year's first major

Tournament officials of the Australian Open have announced the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pair a dozen non-professionals against elite athletes in a elimination competition at the tournament grounds

This Innovative Competition Operates

Participants must play 'rock, paper, scissors' to decide who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will advance to the subsequent phase

The winner of the event will take home approximately half a million pounds

Contextually, players who made it to the final four of the primary tournaments in the last edition won substantial prize money

Past Comparable Tournaments

The US Open hosted a revamped, standalone mixed doubles tournament in August which motivated top singles players to take part, with the winners receiving one million US dollars

The Australian Open held its debut quick-fire event earlier this year, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it received minimal attention

Andrey Rublev was the sole elite competitor participating, and his run came to an end when he directed the one and only serve granted failing to clear the net in his penultimate round

Event Specifics

Officials have not specified precisely how the event will function, but it is anticipated to emulate a comparable structure to the previous version

The top competitors will be allowed to have a single serve and the non-professionals two times - as is the usual procedure in standard play

While it is uncertain how the pairings will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the site will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the secondary venue

The concluding rounds will take place in a evening slot instead of midday timing

Participation Information

Local players - or overseas competitors who have registered with the governing body - can enter 'single-point competition' events at their local tennis clubs

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a random pairing, with an everyday competitor 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 qualifying draw in late year which amateurs, developing professionals, famous personalities and sport stars can participate in

It starts on early January and the two winners will advance to the following day's 'championship match' with the other eight amateurs and elite competitors

"Regardless of your skill level, the final champion will claim the prize. Entries will open soon at clubs across the country"

Tournament officials stated there were "more big names to be announced soon", while the event portal mentioned "well-known figures" would be taking part