🔗 Share this article

Everyday tennis enthusiasts are being offered an opportunity to earn a seven-figure prize when they face world-class athletes - featuring world number one the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle before the Australian Grand Slam

Tournament officials of the Melbourne major have revealed the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pair a dozen non-professionals against 22 professionals in a knockout tournament at the Australian Open venue

This Innovative Tournament Functions

Players will play 'the decision-making game' to determine who serves or receives, and whoever wins the point will advance to the subsequent phase

The victor of the event will take home approximately half a million pounds

Contextually, players who reached the penultimate round of the main draw competitions in the previous year's tournament won substantial prize money

Past Comparable Tournaments

The US Open hosted a redesigned, independent mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to participate, with the champions receiving one million US dollars

The year's first major held its inaugural quick-fire event earlier this year, but the cash prize was sixty thousand Australian dollars and it received minimal attention

Andrey Rublev was the sole elite competitor competing, and his progress came to an end when he directed the sole serving chance allowed failing to clear the net in his penultimate round

Tournament Specifics

Planners have not said exactly how the event will work, but it is anticipated to follow a comparable structure to the most recent iteration

The professionals will be permitted to make one service and the amateurs two times - as is the norm in traditional tennis

While it is not certain how the draw will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the venue will be the primary court rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The last matches will take place in a evening slot instead of midday timing

Entry Information

Any Australians - or international players who have enrolled with Tennis Australia - can enter 'quick-match event' competitions at their local tennis clubs

The winners of the community events will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every state and territory chosen to compete in the 'grand finale' in a night session on mid-January

There will also be a entry tournament in late year which amateurs, lower ranked pros, well-known figures and sports personalities can enter

It begins on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will qualify for the following day's 'final showdown' with the remaining non-professionals and elite competitors

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the ultimate winner will claim the reward. Entries will open soon at facilities across the country"

Tournament officials stated there were "further celebrities to be announced soon", while the event portal indicated "celebrities" would be involved