Recreational competitors are getting an opportunity to earn A$1m when they compete against elite players - including world number one Carlos Alcaraz - in a one-point battle leading up to January's Australian Open
Event planners of the Australian Open have announced the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will match 10 amateur players against elite athletes in a knockout tournament at the Australian Open venue
This Innovative Event Will Work
Participants must play 'rock, paper, scissors' to determine who takes the serve or return position, and the competitor securing the point will advance to the next round
The victor of the event will take home approximately half a million pounds
By comparison, players who made it to the final four of the primary tournaments in the last edition won A$1.1m
Previous Similar Events
The New York major hosted a revamped, separate combined gender tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to take part, with the champions receiving one million US dollars
The Australian Open held its first-ever quick-fire event in the current season, but the total purse was a smaller amount and it received minimal attention
One top competitor was the single high-ranked athlete participating, and his campaign concluded when he sent the one and only serve granted into the mesh in his quarter-final
Event Information
Planners have not specified precisely how the event will work, but it is anticipated to follow a comparable structure to the most recent iteration
The top competitors will be allowed to make one service and the everyday players two times - as is the standard practice in conventional tennis
While it is uncertain how the bracket will work, there will be several competitive phases and the location will be the main stadium rather than the secondary venue
The concluding rounds will take place in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing
Competitor Requirements
Any Australians - or international players who have enrolled with the national federation - can participate in 'quick-match event' events at their community centers
The victors of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with an everyday competitor from every geographic division selected to participate in the 'final competition' in a nighttime event on the specified date
There will also be a qualifying draw in the final month which everyday players, aspiring competitors, celebrities and sport stars can participate in
It starts on the starting date and the two winners will qualify for the midweek 'grand finale' with the additional everyday players and 10 professionals
"Regardless of your skill level, the final champion will claim the prize. Entries will begin shortly at clubs across the country"
Tournament officials said there were "additional stars to be announced soon", while the official website mentioned "celebrities" would be taking part
