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Recreational competitors will have the chance to claim a seven-figure prize when they face world-class athletes - featuring top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle leading up to the year's first major

Event planners of the Melbourne major have unveiled the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit a dozen non-professionals against elite athletes in a elimination competition at Melbourne Park

This Innovative Tournament Functions

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

The victor of the event will receive a significant cash prize

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

Past Similar Events

The New York major staged a redesigned, standalone combined gender tournament in late summer which encouraged top singles players to compete, with the champions receiving $1m

The Australian Open held its debut One Point Slam earlier this year, but the prize fund was A$60,000 and it had limited exposure

Andrey Rublev was the only top-10 player involved, and his progress finished when he sent the sole serving chance permitted failing to clear the net in his last eight match

Event Specifics

Organizers have not said exactly how the event will function, but it is expected to emulate a akin setup to the most recent iteration

The elite players will be permitted to make one service and the everyday players two times - as is the standard practice in standard play

While it is unclear how the draw will work, there will be several competitive phases and the venue will be the main stadium rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The last matches will occur in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing

Entry Information

Local players - or international players who have enrolled with the national federation - can compete in 'quick-match event' competitions at their neighborhood facilities

The victors of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a random pairing, with a single non-professional from every geographic division chosen to compete in the 'grand finale' in a evening match on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a entry tournament in late year which amateurs, lower ranked pros, famous personalities and sport stars can compete in

It starts on early January and the pair of champions will advance to the following day's 'championship match' with the remaining non-professionals and top-ranked athletes

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the ultimate winner will receive the award. Entries will open soon at clubs nationwide"

Competition planners said there were "additional stars to be announced soon", while the official website indicated "well-known figures" would be involved