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Recreational competitors are getting the possibility to earn A$1m when they compete against tennis' top professionals - including top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown before the year's first major

Event planners of the Melbourne major have unveiled the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will match everyday competitors against elite athletes in a single-elimination format at Melbourne Park

The Unique Tournament Functions

Competitors are set to play 'rock, paper, scissors' to establish who serves or receives, and whoever wins the point will progress to the subsequent phase

The victor of the event will earn approximately half a million pounds

For comparison, players who advanced to the final four of the main draw competitions in the last edition won A$1.1m

Past Related Competitions

The American Grand Slam staged a redesigned, separate combined gender tournament in late summer which encouraged top singles players to participate, with the victors receiving $1m

The year's first major held its inaugural quick-fire event in the current season, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it generated little publicity

One top competitor was the only top-10 player competing, and his progress finished when he put the one and only serve granted into the net in his penultimate round

Event Details

Organizers have not specified precisely how the event will work, but it is projected to follow a comparable structure to this year's edition

The elite players will be allowed to make one service and the amateurs on two occasions - as is the norm in conventional tennis

While it is not certain how the pairings will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the location will be the main stadium rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The final stages will be held in a evening slot instead of 1pm local time

Entry Requirements

Domestic competitors - or overseas competitors who have registered with Tennis Australia - can participate in 'single-point competition' events at their community centers

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a selection process, with a single non-professional from every region and area chosen to take part in the 'grand finale' in a evening match on mid-January

There will also be a qualifying draw in late year which everyday players, developing professionals, famous personalities and sport stars can enter

It begins on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will advance to Wednesday's 'final showdown' with the remaining non-professionals and 10 professionals

"Regardless of your skill level, the ultimate winner will claim the reward. Registrations will begin shortly at venues throughout the nation"

Event organizers said there were "additional stars to be announced soon", while the event portal said "well-known figures" would be participating