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Everyday tennis enthusiasts will have the possibility to win one million Australian dollars when they face world-class athletes - featuring leading player Carlos Alcaraz - in a one-point battle prior to the Australian Grand Slam

Organizers of the Melbourne major have revealed the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will match everyday competitors against elite athletes in a elimination competition at the tournament grounds

How the Tournament Functions

Competitors are set to play 'rock, paper, scissors' to establish who gets to serve or return, and the player who wins the point will move forward to the subsequent phase

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

For comparison, players who made it to the semi-finals of the main draw competitions in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Earlier Similar Events

The American Grand Slam organized a redesigned, independent mixed doubles tournament in late summer which prompted top singles players to participate, with the champions receiving a million-dollar prize

The Melbourne tournament held its debut quick-fire event in the current season, but the cash prize was sixty thousand Australian dollars and it received minimal attention

Andrey Rublev was the sole elite competitor involved, and his campaign concluded when he put the single service opportunity permitted failing to clear the net in his penultimate round

Tournament Information

Officials have not specified precisely how the event will operate, but it is expected to mirror a akin setup to this year's edition

The top competitors will be granted to serve once and the amateurs two times - as is the norm in conventional tennis

While it is unclear how the bracket will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the venue will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The final stages will occur in a night session instead of 1pm local time

Competitor Requirements

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

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a random pairing, with one amateur player from every state and territory selected to take part in the 'championship round' in a night session on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a preliminary competition in December which amateurs, aspiring competitors, well-known figures and sports personalities can enter

It starts on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will advance to Wednesday's 'grand finale' with the other eight amateurs and 10 professionals

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the ultimate winner will claim the prize. Entries will begin shortly at facilities throughout the nation"

Event organizers stated there were "additional stars to be revealed shortly", while the event portal said "celebrities" would be involved