Carlos Alcaraz Set to Compete Against Non-Professionals in $1 Million Single-Point Showdown

Recreational competitors will have the possibility to claim A$1m when they compete against world-class athletes - headed by leading player Carlos Alcaraz - in a winner-takes-all point leading up to the Australian Grand Slam

Event planners of the Melbourne major have announced the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will match 10 amateur players against 22 professionals in a single-elimination format at the tournament grounds

How the Tournament Functions

Participants must play 'the decision-making game' to decide who gets to serve or return, and the competitor securing the point will advance to the subsequent phase

The victor of the event will take home approximately half a million pounds

For comparison, players who advanced to the semi-finals of the men's or women's singles in the previous year's tournament won over a million Australian dollars

Earlier Similar Events

The New York major hosted a revamped, independent mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which encouraged top singles players to compete, with the victors receiving $1m

The Australian Open held its debut single-point competition this year, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it received minimal attention

The Russian player was the sole elite competitor involved, and his progress concluded when he put the one and only serve allowed into the mesh in his last eight match

Tournament Information

Organizers have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is anticipated to emulate a comparable structure to this year's edition

The elite players will be granted to make one service and the amateurs twice - as is the norm in standard play

While it is not certain how the pairings will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the site will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the secondary venue

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

Participation Information

Domestic competitors - or international players who have enrolled with Tennis Australia - can participate in 'quick-match event' competitions at their community centers

The victors of the community events will then go into a selection process, with an everyday competitor from every state and territory picked to participate in the 'championship round' in a nighttime event on the specified date

There will also be a qualifying draw in December which non-professionals, aspiring competitors, famous personalities and sport stars can participate in

It starts on Monday, 12 January and the pair of champions will advance to Wednesday's 'championship match' with the other eight amateurs and 10 professionals

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the overall victor will walk away with the award. Entries will begin shortly at clubs throughout the nation"

Competition planners mentioned there were "additional stars to be unveiled imminently", while the official website said "celebrities" would be participating