Carlos Alcaraz to Face Non-Professionals in $1 Million One Point Slam

Recreational competitors are being offered the chance to claim A$1m when they take on elite players - including leading player the Spanish champion - in a winner-takes-all point leading up to the Australian Grand Slam

Event planners of the Melbourne major have unveiled the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit everyday competitors against top-ranked players in a knockout tournament at the Australian Open venue

How the Competition Operates

Participants must play 'rock, paper, scissors' to establish who takes the serve or return position, and whoever wins the point will progress to the next round

The champion of the event will receive a significant cash prize

By comparison, players who made it to the penultimate round of the primary tournaments in the last edition won substantial prize money

Past Related Competitions

The New York major organized a restructured, separate mixed doubles tournament in late summer which prompted top singles players to compete, with the winners receiving a million-dollar prize

The Australian Open held its inaugural quick-fire event earlier this year, but the prize fund was A$60,000 and it received minimal attention

The Russian player was the only top-10 player participating, and his progress finished when he put the one and only serve allowed into the mesh in his quarter-final

Event Specifics

Planners have not said exactly how the event will function, but it is anticipated to emulate a similar format to the most recent iteration

The top competitors will be granted to have a single serve and the everyday players two times - as is the standard practice in standard play

While it is uncertain how the draw will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the location will be the primary court rather than the secondary venue

The last matches will take place in a evening slot instead of midday timing

Competitor Requirements

Local players - or international players who have signed up with Tennis Australia - can enter 'single-point competition' tournaments at their local tennis clubs

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with one amateur player from every region and area picked to compete in the 'grand finale' in a nighttime event on the specified date

There will also be a entry tournament in December which amateurs, developing professionals, well-known figures and athletic celebrities can participate in

It commences on early January and the two winners will go into the following day's 'championship match' with the additional everyday players and elite competitors

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the overall victor will receive the reward. Entries will open soon at facilities across the country"

Tournament officials mentioned there were "additional stars to be announced soon", while the official website said "well-known figures" would be taking part