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Everyday tennis enthusiasts are getting the possibility to claim a seven-figure prize when they take on elite players - headed by top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle before the year's first major

Event planners of the year's first Grand Slam have unveiled the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pair everyday competitors against top-ranked players in a elimination competition at Melbourne Park

The Unique Competition Operates

Participants must play 'the classic hand game' to establish who gets to serve or return, and the competitor securing the point will move forward to the subsequent phase

The victor of the event will earn a significant cash prize

By comparison, players who reached 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 New York major hosted a restructured, standalone mixed doubles tournament in August which motivated top singles players to participate, with the champions receiving one million US dollars

The year's first major held its debut quick-fire event in the current season, but the prize fund was a smaller amount and it had limited exposure

One top competitor was the single high-ranked athlete competing, and his campaign concluded when he put the one and only serve allowed into the net in his last eight match

Competition Details

Planners have not detailed exactly how the event will work, but it is anticipated to emulate a similar format to this year's edition

The professionals will be permitted to have a single serve and the non-professionals twice - as is the usual procedure in standard play

While it is not certain how the bracket will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the site will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The final stages will occur in a evening slot instead of midday timing

Competitor Information

Local players - or foreign participants who have registered with the national federation - can participate in 'One Point Slam' competitions at their local tennis clubs

The champions 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 night session on the specified date

There will also be a qualifying draw in late year which non-professionals, developing professionals, well-known figures and sport stars can enter

It commences on early January and the pair of champions will go into the following day's 'final showdown' with the remaining non-professionals and top-ranked athletes

"No matter your experience, the ultimate winner will receive the award. Registrations will start imminently at venues across the country"

Event organizers said there were "more big names to be announced soon", while the tournament site indicated "well-known figures" would be involved