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Everyday tennis enthusiasts are getting an opportunity to claim a seven-figure prize when they take on tennis' top professionals - featuring top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point leading up to the year's first major

Organizers of the Melbourne major have revealed the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will match 10 amateur players against elite athletes in a single-elimination format at the Australian Open venue

How the Tournament Functions

Players will play 'the decision-making game' to determine who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will advance to the next round

The champion of the event will take home £490,000

By comparison, players who reached the final four of the main draw competitions in the previous year's tournament won over a million Australian dollars

Previous Related Competitions

The American Grand Slam staged a restructured, standalone mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which prompted top singles players to compete, with the winners receiving one million US dollars

The year's first major held its debut quick-fire event this year, but the total purse was a smaller amount and it received minimal attention

The Russian player was the only top-10 player participating, and his run came to an end when he directed the single service opportunity permitted failing to clear the net in his quarter-final

Event Details

Planners have not said exactly how the event will function, but it is expected to follow a similar format to this year's edition

The top competitors will be allowed to have a single serve and the amateurs twice - as is the usual procedure in standard play

While it is not certain how the bracket will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the location will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The last matches will be held in a night session instead of midday timing

Participation Details

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have signed up with the governing body - can participate in 'One Point Slam' events at their neighborhood facilities

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a selection process, with one amateur player from every region and area picked to compete in the 'championship round' in a night session on mid-January

There will also be a qualifying draw in the final month which everyday players, aspiring competitors, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can compete in

It begins on the starting date and the pair of champions will advance to the midweek 'final showdown' with the other eight amateurs and elite competitors

"Regardless of your skill level, the overall victor will walk away with the award. Entries will start imminently at venues across the country"

Tournament officials stated there were "more big names to be announced soon", while the event portal indicated "celebrities" would be participating