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Everyday tennis enthusiasts are getting the possibility to claim A$1m when they compete against world-class athletes - including top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle before the year's first major

Tournament officials of the year's first Grand Slam have revealed the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit 10 amateur players against 22 professionals in a elimination competition at Melbourne Park

The Unique Event Will Work

Players will play 'the classic hand game' to establish who takes the serve or return position, and the player who wins the point will progress to the subsequent phase

The victor of the event will receive £490,000

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

Previous Comparable Tournaments

The US Open staged a revamped, separate combined gender tournament in late summer which prompted top singles players to compete, with the winners receiving one million US dollars

The year's first major held its inaugural single-point competition earlier this year, but the cash prize was a smaller amount and it generated little publicity

One top competitor was the only top-10 player participating, and his campaign finished when he directed the sole serving chance allowed failing to clear the net in his penultimate round

Competition Specifics

Officials have not detailed exactly how the event will work, but it is expected to follow a similar format to this year's edition

The top competitors will be permitted to serve once and the everyday players two times - as is the usual procedure in standard play

While it is unclear how the bracket will work, there will be several competitive phases and the venue will be the main stadium rather than the alternative court

The last matches will occur in a evening slot instead of 1pm local time

Participation Details

Domestic competitors - or international players who have enrolled with the governing body - can participate in 'single-point competition' events at their community centers

The champions of the local competitions will then go into a random pairing, with an everyday competitor from every region and area selected to take part in the 'grand finale' in a nighttime event on the specified date

There will also be a qualifying draw in December which non-professionals, lower ranked pros, well-known figures and sport stars can compete in

It commences on the starting date and the successful competitors will advance to the midweek 'grand finale' with the additional everyday players and elite competitors

"No matter your experience, the ultimate winner will walk away with the prize. Applications will open soon at venues throughout the nation"

Event organizers stated there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the official website said "celebrities" would be taking part