Recreational competitors are getting the chance to earn one million Australian dollars when they take on tennis' top professionals - including world number one the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown before January's Australian Open
Organizers of the year's first Grand Slam have unveiled the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will match 10 amateur players against elite athletes in a elimination competition at the tournament grounds
This Innovative Event Will Work
Participants must play 'the classic hand game' to determine who serves or receives, and the competitor securing the point will progress to the following stage
The victor of the event will earn approximately half a million pounds
Contextually, players who reached the penultimate round of the main draw competitions in the last edition won substantial prize money
Past Similar Events
The New York major hosted a redesigned, separate combined gender tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to participate, with the champions receiving $1m
The year's first major held its inaugural One Point Slam this year, but the prize fund was sixty thousand Australian dollars and it generated little publicity
The Russian player was the single high-ranked athlete participating, and his progress finished when he put the sole serving chance granted failing to clear the net in his last eight match
Tournament Information
Officials have not said exactly how the event will operate, but it is anticipated to mirror a similar format to the most recent iteration
The elite players will be allowed to have a single serve and the non-professionals two times - as is the standard practice in traditional tennis
While it is uncertain how the pairings will work, there will be several competitive phases and the location will be the primary court rather than the alternative court
The concluding rounds will be held in a nighttime schedule instead of 1pm local time
Participation Information
Domestic competitors - or international players who have enrolled with Tennis Australia - can enter 'One Point Slam' competitions at their community centers
The winners of the community events will then go into a random pairing, with one amateur player from every state and territory chosen to compete in the 'grand finale' in a night session on the specified date
There will also be a entry tournament in the final month which everyday players, aspiring competitors, famous personalities and athletic celebrities can participate in
It begins on early January and the two winners will advance to the following day's 'grand finale' with the other eight amateurs and elite competitors
"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the final champion will receive the prize. Entries will open soon at clubs nationwide"
Competition planners said there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the official website said "celebrities" would be participating
