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Everyday tennis enthusiasts are getting the possibility to earn a seven-figure prize when they compete against elite players - including top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz - in a single-point showdown leading up to January's Australian Open

Event planners of the Melbourne major have announced the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pair 10 amateur players against top-ranked players in a elimination competition at the tournament grounds

How the Tournament Functions

Players will play 'rock, paper, scissors' to establish who takes the serve or return position, and the competitor securing the point will move forward to the subsequent phase

The champion of the event will receive £490,000

By comparison, players who reached the final four of the men's or women's singles in the last edition won substantial prize money

Earlier Comparable Tournaments

The US Open hosted a revamped, separate mixed doubles tournament in late summer which prompted top singles players to compete, with the winners receiving one million US dollars

The Australian Open held its first-ever quick-fire event earlier this year, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it generated little publicity

The Russian player was the single high-ranked athlete competing, and his campaign concluded when he directed the single service opportunity permitted failing to clear the net in his penultimate round

Event Specifics

Planners have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is expected to follow a akin setup to the most recent iteration

The elite players will be permitted to serve once and the amateurs twice - as is the norm in traditional tennis

While it is uncertain how the draw will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the site will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the alternative court

The final stages will be held in a night session instead of 1pm local time

Participation Information

Local players - or international players who have enrolled with Tennis Australia - can enter 'One Point Slam' events at their local tennis clubs

The victors of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with one amateur player from every state and territory chosen to participate in the 'final competition' in a nighttime event on the specified date

There will also be a preliminary competition in the final month which everyday players, developing professionals, well-known figures and sports personalities can participate in

It starts on Monday, 12 January and the pair of champions will advance to Wednesday's 'grand finale' with the additional everyday players and 10 professionals

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

Tournament officials stated there were "further celebrities to be unveiled imminently", while the event portal indicated "celebrities" would be taking part