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Recreational competitors will have an opportunity to earn a seven-figure prize when they take on elite players - headed by world number one Carlos Alcaraz - in a winner-takes-all point leading up to the Australian Grand Slam

Event planners of the year's first Grand Slam have unveiled the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will match everyday competitors against 22 professionals in a elimination competition at Melbourne Park

This Innovative Event Will Work

Competitors are set to play 'the classic hand game' to decide who gets to serve or return, and whoever wins the point will progress to the subsequent phase

The champion of the event will earn £490,000

For comparison, players who made it to the semi-finals of the primary tournaments in the 2025 Australian Open won A$1.1m

Earlier Comparable Tournaments

The American Grand Slam hosted a revamped, independent combined gender tournament in late summer which encouraged top singles players to participate, with the victors receiving one million US dollars

The year's first major held its first-ever quick-fire event in the current season, but the cash prize was a smaller amount and it had limited exposure

One top competitor was the only top-10 player competing, and his campaign came to an end when he put the single service opportunity allowed into the mesh in his penultimate round

Event Information

Organizers have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is anticipated to emulate a akin setup to the previous version

The professionals will be permitted to have a single serve and the everyday players on two occasions - as is the usual procedure in standard play

While it is unclear how the pairings will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the location will be the primary court rather than the alternative court

The last matches will take place in a night session instead of midday timing

Participation Details

Local players - or overseas competitors who have signed up with the national federation - can enter 'single-point competition' tournaments at their neighborhood facilities

The winners of the local competitions will then go into a selection process, with a single non-professional from every state and territory chosen to participate in the 'grand finale' in a nighttime event on the specified date

There will also be a preliminary competition in the final month which everyday players, lower ranked pros, famous personalities and sport stars can enter

It starts on Monday, 12 January and the two winners will advance to the following day's 'final showdown' with the remaining non-professionals and elite competitors

"Regardless of your skill level, the ultimate winner will receive the prize. Applications will begin shortly at clubs nationwide"

Tournament officials stated there were "additional stars to be revealed shortly", while the official website indicated "famous personalities" would be involved