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Recreational competitors will have the possibility to earn A$1m when they face world-class athletes - including top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point leading up to January's Australian Open

Tournament officials of the Melbourne major have unveiled the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit everyday competitors against elite athletes in a knockout tournament at the tournament grounds

This Innovative Event Will Work

Players will play 'the classic hand game' to determine who gets to serve or return, and whoever wins the point will advance to the next round

The winner of the event will receive £490,000

For comparison, players who reached the penultimate round of the primary tournaments in the previous year's tournament won over a million Australian dollars

Earlier Similar Events

The US Open organized a restructured, independent mixed doubles tournament in late summer which prompted top singles players to take part, with the winners receiving $1m

The year's first major held its inaugural single-point competition earlier this year, but the total purse was a smaller amount and it had limited exposure

The Russian player was the sole elite competitor competing, and his run came to an end when he put the one and only serve granted into the mesh in his penultimate round

Tournament Details

Officials have not detailed exactly how the event will work, but it is expected to follow a akin setup to the previous version

The professionals will be permitted to serve once and the amateurs two times - as is the norm in standard play

While it is unclear how the draw will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the location will be the main stadium rather than the secondary venue

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

Competitor Information

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have registered with the national federation - can participate in 'One Point Slam' competitions at their community centers

The winners of the local competitions will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every geographic division picked to participate in the 'final competition' in a evening match on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a entry tournament in the final month which amateurs, developing professionals, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can compete in

It starts on the starting date and the two winners will go into the midweek 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and elite competitors

"No matter your experience, the final champion will walk away with the prize. Registrations will start imminently at clubs nationwide"

Event organizers mentioned there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the official website said "celebrities" would be involved