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Everyday tennis enthusiasts will have an opportunity to claim A$1m when they face tennis' top professionals - headed by leading player the Spanish champion - in a one-point battle leading up to the Australian Grand Slam

Organizers of the year's first Grand Slam have announced the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit 10 amateur players against elite athletes in a single-elimination format at Melbourne Park

How the Tournament Functions

Players will play 'the decision-making game' to determine who gets to serve or return, and the competitor securing the point will progress to the subsequent phase

The victor of the event will receive a significant cash prize

By comparison, players who made it to the final four of the main draw competitions in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Earlier Related Competitions

The American Grand Slam hosted a revamped, independent combined gender tournament in the eighth month which motivated top singles players to take part, with the champions receiving $1m

The Melbourne tournament held its first-ever quick-fire event in the current season, but the cash prize was A$60,000 and it generated little publicity

One top competitor was the sole elite competitor involved, and his run concluded when he directed the single service opportunity permitted into the mesh in his penultimate round

Event Details

Officials have not detailed exactly how the event will operate, but it is expected to mirror a similar format to the previous version

The elite players will be permitted to make one service and the non-professionals twice - as is the standard practice in traditional tennis

While it is not certain how the draw will work, there will be several competitive phases and the site will be the primary court rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The final stages will occur in a nighttime schedule instead of early afternoon

Entry Details

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have enrolled with the national federation - can participate in 'One Point Slam' competitions at their neighborhood facilities

The winners of the community events will then go into a random pairing, with a single non-professional from every state and territory picked to compete in the 'championship round' in a nighttime event on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a entry tournament in late year which amateurs, developing professionals, famous personalities and athletic celebrities can enter

It commences on early January and the two winners will advance to Wednesday's 'final showdown' with the additional everyday players and 10 professionals

"Regardless of your skill level, the overall victor will claim the prize. Applications will start imminently at venues throughout the nation"

Competition planners said there were "additional stars to be revealed shortly", while the event portal said "famous personalities" would be taking part