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Everyday tennis enthusiasts are getting an opportunity to claim one million Australian dollars when they take on elite players - featuring leading player the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point prior to the Australian Grand Slam

Organizers of the Australian Open have unveiled the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pair 10 amateur players against elite athletes in a elimination competition at Melbourne Park

This Innovative Tournament Functions

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to decide who takes the serve or return position, and the player who wins the point will progress to the subsequent phase

The winner of the event will receive £490,000

By comparison, players who made it to the semi-finals of the main draw competitions in the last edition won substantial prize money

Earlier Similar Events

The US Open staged a restructured, separate mixed doubles tournament in August which prompted top singles players to take part, with the victors receiving one million US dollars

The Melbourne tournament held its first-ever single-point competition in the current season, but the prize fund was A$60,000 and it received minimal attention

One top competitor was the single high-ranked athlete involved, and his campaign finished when he sent the single service opportunity granted into the mesh in his last eight match

Competition Specifics

Organizers have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is anticipated to emulate a similar format to this year's edition

The elite players will be permitted to make one service and the amateurs two times - as is the standard practice in traditional tennis

While it is uncertain how the draw will work, there will be several competitive phases and the location will be the main stadium rather than the alternative court

The final stages will be held in a night session instead of early afternoon

Entry Details

Local players - or international players who have signed up with the national federation - can compete in 'One Point Slam' tournaments at their community centers

The victors of the local competitions will then go into a selection process, with a single non-professional from every region and area chosen to take part in the 'championship round' in a evening match on mid-January

There will also be a preliminary competition in late year which non-professionals, lower ranked pros, well-known figures and sport stars can enter

It commences on early January and the two winners will qualify for the midweek 'grand finale' with the other eight amateurs and 10 professionals

"No matter your experience, the final champion will receive the prize. Registrations will begin shortly at venues throughout the nation"

Competition planners said there were "further celebrities to be unveiled imminently", while the official website said "well-known figures" would be participating