Alcaraz to Face Non-Professionals in $1 Million Single-Point Showdown

Amateur players are being offered the possibility to claim a seven-figure prize when they face elite players - featuring leading player Carlos Alcaraz - in a winner-takes-all point leading up to the year's first major

Organizers of the year's first Grand Slam have unveiled the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pair a dozen non-professionals against top-ranked players in a single-elimination format at Melbourne Park

This Innovative Competition Operates

Players will play 'rock, paper, scissors' to determine who serves or receives, and whoever wins the point will move forward to the subsequent phase

The champion of the event will earn £490,000

For comparison, players who made it to the penultimate round of the men's or women's singles in the last edition won A$1.1m

Past Related Competitions

The American Grand Slam organized a redesigned, separate combined gender tournament in late summer which prompted top singles players to compete, with the champions receiving $1m

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

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor involved, and his campaign finished when he directed the single service opportunity granted failing to clear the net in his last eight match

Tournament Details

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

The professionals will be permitted to have a single serve and the everyday players two times - as is the norm in conventional tennis

While it is unclear how the pairings will work, there will be several competitive phases and the venue will be the main stadium rather than the secondary venue

The last matches will be held in a night session instead of early afternoon

Competitor Information

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have registered with the national federation - can enter 'quick-match event' tournaments at their neighborhood facilities

The champions of the community events will then go into a random pairing, with a single non-professional from every state and territory selected to participate in the 'grand finale' in a nighttime event on the specified date

There will also be a qualifying draw in the final month which amateurs, aspiring competitors, celebrities and sport stars can compete in

It commences on Monday, 12 January and the two winners will qualify for the midweek 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and 10 professionals

"No matter your experience, the ultimate winner will claim the prize. Entries will open soon at clubs throughout the nation"

Competition planners mentioned there were "more big names to be unveiled imminently", while the event portal said "famous personalities" would be participating