🔗 Share this article

Amateur players are being offered the chance to claim a seven-figure prize when they face elite players - including top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz - in a single-point showdown prior to the Australian Grand Slam

Organizers of the year's first Grand Slam have unveiled the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pair everyday competitors against 22 professionals in a elimination competition at Melbourne Park

This Innovative Competition Operates

Participants must play 'rock, paper, scissors' to establish 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 made it to the semi-finals of the primary tournaments in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Earlier Comparable Tournaments

The US Open organized a redesigned, standalone mixed doubles tournament in late summer which motivated top singles players to take part, with the winners receiving one million US dollars

The Australian Open held its inaugural quick-fire event in the current season, but the total purse was A$60,000 and it had limited exposure

The Russian player was the single high-ranked athlete competing, and his progress came to an end when he directed the sole serving chance permitted failing to clear the net in his penultimate round

Competition Details

Planners have not specified precisely how the event will function, but it is expected to follow a akin setup to this year's edition

The elite players will be granted to have a single serve and the everyday players two times - as is the usual procedure in conventional tennis

While it is unclear how the draw will work, there will be five knockout rounds and the site will be the primary court rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The concluding rounds will take place in a night session instead of 1pm local time

Entry Requirements

Any Australians - or overseas competitors who have enrolled with the governing body - can compete in 'quick-match event' competitions at their neighborhood facilities

The champions of the local competitions will then go into a random pairing, with an everyday competitor from every geographic division selected to participate in the 'championship round' in a night session on mid-January

There will also be a preliminary competition in late year which amateurs, aspiring competitors, famous personalities and sports personalities can enter

It begins on Monday, 12 January and the successful competitors will qualify for Wednesday's 'grand finale' with the other eight amateurs and elite competitors

"Regardless of your skill level, the ultimate winner will claim the prize. Applications will open soon at clubs across the country"

Event organizers said there were "additional stars to be announced soon", while the event portal said "celebrities" would be involved