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Everyday tennis enthusiasts will have an opportunity to win a seven-figure prize when they face elite players - including world number one Carlos Alcaraz - in a one-point battle before the year's first major

Organizers of the year's first Grand Slam have revealed the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit a dozen non-professionals against top-ranked players in a single-elimination format at Melbourne Park

The Unique Tournament Functions

Competitors are set to play 'the classic hand game' to determine who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will advance to the next round

The winner of the event will receive a significant cash prize

Contextually, players who advanced to the penultimate round of the main draw competitions in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Past Related Competitions

The US Open staged a redesigned, standalone combined gender tournament in August which motivated top singles players to participate, with the winners receiving $1m

The Australian Open held its inaugural quick-fire event earlier this year, but the total purse was a smaller amount and it generated little publicity

Andrey Rublev was the sole elite competitor competing, and his campaign concluded when he sent the single service opportunity granted into the mesh in his last eight match

Competition Specifics

Planners have not detailed exactly how the event will function, but it is projected to follow a comparable structure to this year's edition

The professionals will be allowed to make one service and the non-professionals two times - as is the usual procedure in conventional tennis

While it is uncertain how the bracket will work, there will be several competitive phases and the venue will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The concluding rounds will occur in a night session instead of 1pm local time

Participation Information

Domestic competitors - or overseas competitors who have signed up with Tennis Australia - can enter 'quick-match event' competitions at their community centers

The victors of the community events will then go into a selection process, with a single non-professional from every state and territory picked to take part in the 'grand finale' in a nighttime event on mid-January

There will also be a entry tournament in late year which non-professionals, aspiring competitors, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can enter

It commences on Monday, 12 January and the pair of champions will go into the midweek 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and elite competitors

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the final champion will receive the award. Entries will open soon at venues across the country"

Tournament officials mentioned there were "additional stars to be revealed shortly", while the tournament site mentioned "famous personalities" would be taking part