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Recreational competitors will have the chance to win one million Australian dollars when they take on tennis' top professionals - headed by top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle prior to January's Australian Open

Event planners of the Melbourne major have announced the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit 10 amateur players against 22 professionals in a knockout tournament at the Australian Open venue

This Innovative Tournament Functions

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to establish who gets to serve or return, and the player who wins the point will progress to the next round

The champion of the event will earn a significant cash prize

For comparison, players who made it to the semi-finals of the men's or women's singles in the 2025 Australian Open won A$1.1m

Previous Related Competitions

The American Grand Slam staged a redesigned, separate combined gender tournament in the eighth month which prompted top singles players to take part, with the champions receiving one million US dollars

The year's first major held its inaugural One Point Slam in the current season, but the total purse was a smaller amount and it generated little publicity

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor participating, and his run finished when he put the single service opportunity granted failing to clear the net in his quarter-final

Competition Specifics

Planners have not detailed exactly how the event will function, but it is anticipated to mirror a similar format to the previous version

The professionals will be allowed to have a single serve and the amateurs twice - as is the norm in standard play

While it is not certain how the bracket will work, there will be several competitive phases and the location will be the primary court rather than the secondary venue

The concluding rounds will take place in a evening slot instead of early afternoon

Entry Details

Domestic competitors - or overseas competitors who have signed up with the governing body - can participate in 'quick-match event' competitions at their local tennis clubs

The victors of the community events will then go into a random pairing, with one amateur player from every region and area chosen to participate in the 'championship round' in a night session on mid-January

There will also be a preliminary competition in the final month which non-professionals, developing professionals, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can participate in

It commences on the starting date and the successful competitors will advance to the following day's 'grand finale' with the remaining non-professionals and top-ranked athletes

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the overall victor will walk away with the reward. Applications will open soon at facilities nationwide"

Tournament officials said there were "additional stars to be announced soon", while the event portal said "well-known figures" would be involved