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Recreational competitors are getting the chance to claim A$1m when they face elite players - featuring world number one Carlos Alcaraz - in a single-point showdown prior to January's Australian Open

Organizers of the Australian Open have unveiled the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit 10 amateur players against 22 professionals in a elimination competition at the Australian Open venue

The Unique Tournament Functions

Players will play 'rock, paper, scissors' to decide who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will advance to the subsequent phase

The victor of the event will receive approximately half a million pounds

Contextually, players who reached the semi-finals of the main draw competitions in the previous year's tournament won over a million Australian dollars

Previous Comparable Tournaments

The New York major organized a restructured, independent combined gender tournament in late summer which motivated top singles players to take part, with the victors receiving $1m

The Australian Open held its first-ever quick-fire event earlier this year, but the cash prize was a smaller amount and it had limited exposure

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor participating, and his campaign concluded when he directed the sole serving chance granted into the net in his quarter-final

Tournament Details

Planners have not specified precisely how the event will work, but it is projected to follow a similar format to the previous version

The professionals will be allowed to have a single serve and the everyday players two times - as is the norm in standard play

While it is uncertain how the draw will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the venue will be the main stadium rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The last matches will take place in a evening slot instead of early afternoon

Entry Requirements

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

The victors of the local competitions will then go into a selection process, with one amateur player from every state and territory picked to compete in the 'grand finale' in a evening match on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a entry tournament in December which non-professionals, developing professionals, celebrities and sport stars can compete in

It begins on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will advance to the midweek 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and 10 professionals

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the overall victor will claim the award. Registrations will begin shortly at facilities across the country"

Competition planners stated there were "further celebrities to be revealed shortly", while the official website mentioned "well-known figures" would be participating