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Everyday tennis enthusiasts are being offered an opportunity to win A$1m when they face world-class athletes - featuring leading player Carlos Alcaraz - in a winner-takes-all point leading up to the year's first major

Tournament officials of the Australian Open have announced the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pair 10 amateur players against top-ranked players in a single-elimination format at the Australian Open venue

The Unique Tournament Functions

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to establish who takes the serve or return position, and the player who wins the point will move forward to the following stage

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

For comparison, players who advanced to the penultimate round of the primary tournaments in the last edition won over a million Australian dollars

Earlier Related Competitions

The American Grand Slam hosted a redesigned, independent combined gender tournament in late summer which encouraged top singles players to take part, with the champions receiving $1m

The Australian Open held its debut single-point competition earlier this year, but the prize fund was a smaller amount and it generated little publicity

The Russian player was the sole elite competitor competing, and his progress finished when he sent the single service opportunity granted failing to clear the net in his last eight match

Tournament Details

Officials have not detailed exactly how the event will work, but it is projected to follow a akin setup to the previous version

The professionals will be granted to serve once and the amateurs on two occasions - as is the norm in conventional tennis

While it is unclear how the draw will work, there will be several competitive phases and the site will be the main stadium rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The last matches will be held in a nighttime schedule instead of 1pm local time

Participation Information

Local players - or overseas competitors who have registered with the governing body - can participate in 'quick-match event' tournaments at their local tennis clubs

The winners of the local competitions will then go into a draw, with one amateur player from every state and territory selected to compete in the 'grand finale' in a evening match on the specified date

There will also be a entry tournament in December which everyday players, developing professionals, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can compete in

It starts on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will qualify for the midweek 'grand finale' with the additional everyday players and elite competitors

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the ultimate winner will receive the reward. Registrations will start imminently at facilities across the country"

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