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Recreational competitors will have an opportunity to win one million Australian dollars when they face elite players - headed by leading player Carlos Alcaraz - in a one-point battle leading up to January's Australian Open

Event planners of the Australian Open have revealed the Seven-Figure Quick-Fire Competition, which will pit everyday competitors against 22 professionals in a elimination competition at the Australian Open venue

The Unique 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 winner of the event will earn approximately half a million pounds

By comparison, players who made it to the penultimate round of the men's or women's singles in the 2025 Australian Open won substantial prize money

Past Similar Events

The New York major hosted a restructured, independent mixed doubles tournament in the eighth month which encouraged top singles players to take part, with the victors receiving a million-dollar prize

The Australian Open held its inaugural quick-fire event earlier this year, but the cash prize was A$60,000 and it generated little publicity

One top competitor was the only top-10 player involved, and his campaign concluded when he sent the sole serving chance allowed into the net in his quarter-final

Tournament Details

Planners have not specified precisely how the event will work, but it is expected to follow a similar format to this year's edition

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

While it is not certain how the pairings will work, there will be multiple elimination stages and the venue will be the Rod Laver Arena rather than the smaller Kia Arena

The final stages will be held in a night session instead of midday timing

Participation Information

Local players - or international players who have signed up with the governing body - can participate in 'single-point competition' competitions at their community centers

The champions of the grassroots tournaments will then go into a selection process, with one amateur player from every geographic division chosen to compete in the 'grand finale' in a nighttime event on Wednesday, 14 January

There will also be a qualifying draw in the final month which everyday players, lower ranked pros, celebrities and sports personalities can compete in

It commences on the starting date and the successful competitors will go into the following day's 'championship match' with the remaining non-professionals and 10 professionals

"Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the final champion will walk away with the reward. Entries will begin shortly at facilities nationwide"

Event organizers stated there were "additional stars to be announced soon", while the official website mentioned "famous personalities" would be participating