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Recreational competitors are being offered an opportunity to win a seven-figure prize when they face tennis' top professionals - featuring leading player the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle prior to the Australian Grand Slam

Organizers of the Australian Open have announced the $1 Million Single-Point Tournament, which will pit 10 amateur players against 22 professionals in a elimination competition at the Australian Open venue

This Innovative Competition Operates

Players will play 'the decision-making game' to establish who gets to serve or return, and whoever wins the point will advance to the next round

The victor of the event will receive approximately half a million pounds

By comparison, players who advanced to the semi-finals of the men's or women's singles in the last edition won A$1.1m

Earlier Comparable Tournaments

The US Open staged a restructured, standalone mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to take part, with the victors receiving $1m

The Australian Open held its first-ever quick-fire event this year, but the cash prize was a smaller amount and it generated little publicity

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor participating, and his run concluded when he sent the sole serving chance permitted failing to clear the net in his last eight match

Event Specifics

Officials have not specified precisely how the event will operate, but it is expected to mirror a similar format to the most recent iteration

The professionals will be granted to have a single serve and the everyday players on two occasions - as is the standard practice in conventional tennis

While it is uncertain how the bracket will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the site will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the secondary venue

The final stages will occur in a nighttime schedule instead of midday timing

Competitor Requirements

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have enrolled with the national federation - can enter 'quick-match event' events at their local tennis clubs

The winners of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a draw, with a single non-professional from every region and area chosen to participate in the 'final competition' in a night session on the specified date

There will also be a preliminary competition in the final month which non-professionals, lower ranked pros, well-known figures and sport stars can enter

It commences on early January and the pair of champions will go into Wednesday's 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and top-ranked athletes

"Regardless of your skill level, the ultimate winner will claim the reward. Registrations will open soon at clubs nationwide"

Tournament officials mentioned there were "additional stars to be announced soon", while the official website indicated "famous personalities" would be participating