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Amateur players are getting an opportunity to win a seven-figure prize when they compete against tennis' top professionals - headed by world number one the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point prior to January's Australian Open

Tournament officials of the Melbourne major have unveiled the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pair 10 amateur players against top-ranked players in a single-elimination format at the Australian Open venue

The Unique Tournament Functions

Participants must play 'the classic hand game' to decide who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will progress to the subsequent phase

The winner of the event will earn £490,000

By comparison, players who made it to the semi-finals of the main draw competitions in the previous year's tournament won substantial prize money

Past Similar Events

The American Grand Slam staged a redesigned, separate mixed doubles tournament in August which prompted top singles players to take part, with the champions receiving a million-dollar prize

The year's first major held its debut quick-fire event earlier this year, but the prize fund was A$60,000 and it received minimal attention

Andrey Rublev was the single high-ranked athlete competing, and his progress came to an end when he put the one and only serve allowed into the mesh in his quarter-final

Tournament Details

Planners have not specified precisely how the event will function, but it is anticipated to mirror a akin setup to the most recent iteration

The professionals will be permitted to make one service and the non-professionals on two occasions - as is the standard practice in standard play

While it is not certain how the draw will work, there will be several competitive phases and the location will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The concluding rounds will occur in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing

Competitor Information

Domestic competitors - or overseas competitors who have signed up with the national federation - can compete in 'single-point competition' competitions at their community centers

The victors of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every state and territory selected to participate in the 'grand finale' in a night session on mid-January

There will also be a entry tournament in December which amateurs, developing professionals, celebrities and sports personalities can enter

It begins on early January and the pair of champions will advance to Wednesday's 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and top-ranked athletes

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the ultimate winner will claim the reward. Registrations will start imminently at venues across the country"

Event organizers mentioned there were "more big names to be revealed shortly", while the official website indicated "famous personalities" would be participating