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Everyday tennis enthusiasts will have the chance to earn A$1m when they take on world-class athletes - featuring world number one the Spanish champion - in a single-point showdown prior to the year's first major

Tournament officials of the year's first Grand Slam have announced the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit 10 amateur players against 22 professionals in a single-elimination format at the Australian Open venue

This Innovative Tournament Functions

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to determine who gets to serve or return, and the player who wins the point will progress to the subsequent phase

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

Contextually, players who made it to the final four of the men's or women's singles in the previous year's tournament won A$1.1m

Earlier Related Competitions

The US Open hosted a restructured, separate mixed doubles tournament in August which motivated top singles players to compete, with the winners receiving a million-dollar prize

The Australian Open held its inaugural quick-fire event earlier this year, but the prize fund was A$60,000 and it generated little publicity

One top competitor was the single high-ranked athlete involved, and his progress concluded when he put the single service opportunity allowed into the mesh in his last eight match

Tournament Specifics

Organizers have not specified precisely how the event will work, but it is projected to follow a similar format to the previous version

The top competitors will be permitted to have a single serve and the everyday players two times - as is the norm in conventional tennis

While it is uncertain how the draw will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the location will be the primary court rather than the secondary venue

The last matches will occur in a night session instead of early afternoon

Participation Requirements

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have enrolled with the governing body - can compete in 'One Point Slam' events at their community centers

The victors of the local competitions will then go into a selection process, with an everyday competitor from every geographic division selected to participate in the 'championship round' in a nighttime event on mid-January

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

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

"No matter your experience, the ultimate winner will receive the reward. Applications will start imminently at clubs throughout the nation"

Competition planners stated there were "further celebrities to be revealed shortly", while the official website said "well-known figures" would be participating