Carlos Alcaraz Ready to Battle Everyday Players in $1 Million Winner-Takes-All Event

Everyday tennis enthusiasts will have the chance to claim a seven-figure prize when they take on elite players - including top-ranked the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point before the Australian Grand Slam

Tournament officials of the year's first Grand Slam have announced the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will match everyday competitors against elite athletes in a elimination competition at the tournament grounds

The Unique Competition Operates

Competitors are set to play 'rock, paper, scissors' to establish who serves or receives, and whoever wins the point will progress to the following stage

The winner of the event will take home a significant cash prize

By comparison, players who advanced to the penultimate round of the primary tournaments in the last edition won A$1.1m

Earlier Similar Events

The US Open staged a revamped, independent mixed doubles tournament in August which motivated top singles players to take part, with the winners receiving $1m

The Melbourne tournament held its first-ever quick-fire event in the current season, but the prize fund was A$60,000 and it had limited exposure

The Russian player was the only top-10 player participating, and his run finished when he directed the single service opportunity allowed failing to clear the net in his last eight match

Tournament Specifics

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

The elite players will be permitted to serve once and the amateurs two times - as is the standard practice in conventional tennis

While it is uncertain how the draw will work, there will be several competitive phases and the venue will be the primary court rather than the secondary venue

The last matches will take place in a night session instead of early afternoon

Participation Information

Any Australians - or foreign participants who have enrolled with the governing body - can participate in 'single-point competition' tournaments at their neighborhood facilities

The winners of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with one amateur player from every state and territory chosen to compete in the 'championship round' in a nighttime event on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a qualifying draw in December which non-professionals, developing professionals, famous personalities and sports personalities can participate in

It commences on early January and the pair of champions will qualify for the midweek 'championship match' with the other eight amateurs and elite competitors

"No matter your experience, the final champion will walk away with the reward. Applications will begin shortly at venues across the country"

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