Sam Groth

Last updated

Jarmila Wolfe
(m. 20092011)
Brittany Boys
(m. 2018)
Sam Groth
Stakhovsky & Groth (19646610795) (cropped).jpg
Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events
In office
8 December 2022 13 December 2024
Children2
Residence(s) Blairgowrie, Victoria, Australia

Tennis career
Country (sports)Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
Height1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) [2]
Turned pro2006
Retired2018
PlaysRight-handed (one-handed backhand)
Prize money$1,950,436
Singles
Career record38–62
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 53 (10 August 2015)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open 3R (2015)
French Open 1R (2015, 2016)
Wimbledon 3R (2015)
US Open 2R (2014, 2015)
Doubles
Career record69–59
Career titles2
Highest rankingNo. 24 (2 February 2015)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open QF (2017, 2018)
French Open SF (2014)
Wimbledon 3R (2016, 2017)
US Open 3R (2016)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
Australian Open SF (2017)
Team competitions
Davis Cup SF (2015, 2017)
Last updated on: 9 August 2021.

Samuel Groth (born 19 October 1987) is an Australian politician and a former professional tennis player. Sitting as a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, Groth represents the Liberal Party in the seat of Nepean. He was the Shadow Minister for Youth and Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events from December 2022, but resigned in December 2024.

Contents

His highest ATP singles ranking was World No. 53, which he reached in August 2015. His career high in doubles was World No. 24, reached in February 2015. Groth's best singles result was a semi-final appearance at the 2014 Hall of Fame Tennis Championships. He hit the fastest serve on record at 263 km/h (163.4 mph) in 2012 at the ATP Challenger in Busan. Prior to his political career, he worked for the Nine Network's tennis broadcasts and as a host on Postcards .

Tennis career

Groth in 2010 Samuel Groth.jpg
Groth in 2010

Juniors

Groth and Andrew Kennaugh of Great Britain lost in the finals of the 2005 Wimbledon boys' doubles championship to Jesse Levine and Michael Shabaz 6–4, 6–1. [3]

2007–2013: Fastest serve on record

Groth beat Mark Philippoussis in a 2007 match; Philippoussis subsequently focused on the seniors tour. Groth qualified for the ATP event in Nottingham where he defeated Britain's Jamie Baker 7–6, 6–3 in the first round. He lost his second round match to seeded Gilles Simon 7–6(7–1), 4–6, 4–6.

At the 2009 Australian Open he set a record for the fastest serve by a male player (232 km/h). He lost in the qualification to Wimbledon 2009 to Jesse Levine 4–6, 7–6, 5–7. [4]

In 2012, in an ATP Challenger in Busan, Groth hit the fastest serve on record with a 163.4 mph (263.0 km/h) ace, but lost the match to Uładzimir Ihnatsik, 4–6, 3–6. [5]

In November 2013, he reached the final of the Champaign Challenger, eventually losing in 3 sets to Tennys Sandgren 6–3, 3–6, 6–7. However, by reaching the final there, and the semi-final of Toyota Challenger the following week, his ranking improved to a career high of #173.

2014

In 2014, Groth was awarded a wild card into the main draw at the Brisbane International, where he made the quarter-finals. This is his first ATP World Tour quarter final appearance.

On 8 January, Groth was awarded a wild card into the 2014 Australian Open, [6] but lost in round one to 28th seed, Vasek Pospisil in straight sets.

In March, Groth qualified for Indian Wells Masters, but lost in round 1 to Mikhail Kukushkin, 4–7 in the third set tie-break.

On 17 March, Groth entered and won the Rimouski Challenger in Canada. This was his first Challenger tour title. Two weeks later, he made the final of the León Challenger, but lost to #1 seed, Rajeev Ram. This gave him a new career high ranking of 136.

At the 2014 French Open, Groth made it to the last round of qualifying, but lost to Simone Bolelli 4–6, 2–6. This was his best French Open result to date. He partnered Andrey Golubev in the Men's doubles, where they made it to the semi-final. This increased his doubles ranking to a career high of #41. In June, Groth made the final of the 2014 Aegon Nottingham Challenge but lost to compatriot Nick Kyrgios 6–7(3–7), 6–7(7–9). Groth made his Wimbledon debut after winning his way through qualifying, but lost in round 1 to Alexandr Dolgopolov in three sets. In July. Groth entered the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, where he reached his maiden ATP semi-final, defeating defending champion Nicolas Mahut in the quarter-finals. This achievement saw him break into the top 100 rankings for the first time. [7]

In August, Groth won his first Grand Slam match, defeating Albert Ramos Viñolas 6–3, 7–6(7–5), 6–3 in the 2014 US Open. In the second round, he was defeated by Roger Federer in straight sets 4–6, 4–6, 4–6.

2015

Groth started the 2015 season at the 2015 Brisbane International, where he was awarded a wild card into the main draw. He defeated defending champion Lleyton Hewitt in round one, and then Łukasz Kubot in the second round before losing to eventual finalist Milos Raonic in the quarter-finals 6–7(5–7), 6–3, 6–7(2–7). At the Australian Open, Groth defeated Filip Krajinović in round one, Thanasi Kokkinakis in round two before losing to Bernard Tomic in round 3. This was his best grand slam performance to date. In February, Groth headed to North America and lost in round 2 of Memphis to eventual runner-up Kevin Anderson. Groth lost in round 1 of Delray, Acapulco, Indian Wells and Miami. He then played the 2015 U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships and defeated Víctor Estrella Burgos in the first round. He then played top seed Feliciano López in the second round but lost in straight sets.

Groth then played at the Santaizi Challenger as the 2nd seed. He cruised through to the final where he defeated Konstantin Kravchuk to win the title. His next tournament was the Busan Open where he was again the 2nd seed. He defeated compatriot Alex Bolt in the first round but then lost to Franko Škugor. At the 2015 French Open, Groth led 21st seed Pablo Cuevas by a set in round 1, before losing in 4 sets.

Groth with Sergiy Stakhovsky at the 2015 Wimbledon Championships. Stakhovsky & Groth (19646610795).jpg
Groth with Sergiy Stakhovsky at the 2015 Wimbledon Championships.

Groth started his grass court season at the Manchester Challenger where he reached the final and defeated compatriot Luke Saville to win the title. He then competed at the ATP 2015 Mercedes Cup where he defeated Sergiy Stakhovsky in the first round. He then scored his first top 20 win by defeating world number 12 Feliciano López to reach the quarter-final. At Wimbledon, Groth defeated 31st seed Jack Sock in round 1, compatriot James Duckworth in round 2 [8] and set up a round 3 match against Roger Federer. In this 3rd round match, he made the second fastest serve ever at the Wimbledon tournament (147 mph), and was the only player to take a set off of Federer until the final, losing to the 7-time champion 4–6, 4–6, 7–6(7–5), 2–6. Groth then represented Australia at the 2015 Davis Cup Quarterfinals. Australia was down 2–0 to Kazakhstan when Groth played the doubles rubber with Lleyton Hewitt. The pair won in straight sets to take the tie to 2–1. Groth then replaced Nick Kyrgios to play Mikhail Kukushkin where he defeated him in 4 sets to level the tie at 2–2. Hewitt then won the 5th rubber to ensure Australia a place in the Davis Cup semi-finals. Groth next contested the Bogotá Open as the 6th seed where he defeated Guido Pella before losing to former world number 8 Radek Štěpánek in straight sets. He then played in Atlanta and defeated Frances Tiafoe in the first round. He then lost to eventual finalist and fifth seed Marcos Baghdatis in 3 sets. Groth then competed at the 2015 Citi Open and reached his first ATP500 Quarterfinal after defeating Thomaz Bellucci, 9th seeded Viktor Troicki and 7th seeded Feliciano López before losing to eventual champion Kei Nishikori. This was also the first time Groth defeated back to back top 20 players. Groth next played at the 2015 Winston-Salem Open and defeated Jared Donaldson before losing to eventual semi-finalist Steve Johnson. Groth then played at the 2015 US Open, defeating former world number 13 Alexandr Dolgopolov in round 1, but then losing to 26th seed Tommy Robredo in round 2. Groth also played the Men's doubles with Lleyton Hewitt, losing in the 2nd round.

2016: Loss of form

Groth commenced the 2016 season with a wild card into Brisbane International. He lost to Chung Hyeon in round one. He also lost in round one at the Sydney International to Federico Delbonis. At the Australian Open, Groth defeated Adrian Mannarino before losing to number 2 seed Andy Murray in the second round. Groth partnered Lleyton Hewitt in the men's double at the Australian Open. They made the third round. Groth then had a first round to Frances Tiafoe loss at a Dallas Challenger. Groth had another first round loss to Illya Marchenko at the Memphis Open. Groth lost in the first round to Noah Rubin in the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships. Groth also lost in the first round in Acapulco to Dmitry Tursunov. Groth played for Australia in Davis Cup World Group losing his singles match to John Isner in straight sets. He had a first round loss at the first Masters 1000 of the year at Indian Wells to Leonardo Mayer. Groth then defeated Víctor Estrella Burgos at the Miami but he lost to Dominic Thiem in the second round. Groth played a number of Challenger tournaments across Asia with little success. At the 2016 French Open, Groth lost in round 1 to 9-time champion Rafael Nadal. At 2016 Wimbledon, Groth lost in round 1 to Kei Nishikori. Groth had a last minute call-up to represent Australia at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but lost in the first round to Belgium's David Goffin. Groth played across North America with limited success on the singles ATP World Tour, but won his second doubles title in Newport before returning to the Challenger Circuit, winning his 4th single title in Las Vegas. Groth ended 2016 with a ranking of 185.

2017

Groth commenced the 2017 with a wild card into the 2017 Brisbane International, where he defeated Pierre-Hugues Herbert before losing to Dominic Thiem in round 2. Groth reached the quarter-final of the 2017 Canberra Challenger, losing to eventual champion Dudi Sela. Groth lost in round 1 of the 2017 Australian Open to Steve Darcis, but paired with Chris Guccione to reach the quarter-final of the doubles, losing to eventual champions Henri Kontinen and John Peers. In February, Groth was selected to play in round 1 the 2017 Davis Cup against Czech Republic, he paired with John Peers to win the doubles taking Australia to an unbeatable 3–0. Groth went to North America but lost in qualifying for Indian Wells Masters and Drummondville Challenger singles but won the doubles at Drummondville. In June, Groth made the semi-final of Ilkley Trophy.

2018: Retirement

2018 Australian Open turned out to be Groth's last tournament before retirement. He lost in singles qualifying to Taylor Fritz. He paired with former world no. 1 compatriot Lleyton Hewitt in doubles and reached the quarterfinals. He paired with compatriot Samantha Stosur in mixed doubles. [9]

ATP career finals

Doubles: 5 (2 titles, 3 runner-ups)

Legend
Grand Slam tournaments (0–0)
ATP World Tour Finals (0–0)
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 (0–0)
ATP World Tour 500 Series (0–1)
ATP World Tour 250 Series (2–2)
Titles by surface
Hard (1–3)
Clay (0–0)
Grass (1–0)
Titles by setting
Outdoor (2–2)
Indoor (0–1)
ResultW–L   Date   TournamentTierSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win1–0 Jul 2014 Colombia Open, Colombia250 SeriesHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Guccione Flag of Colombia.svg Nicolás Barrientos
Flag of Colombia.svg Juan Sebastián Cabal
7–6(7–5), 6–7(3–7), [11–9]
Loss1–1 Aug 2014 Washington Open, United States500 SeriesHard Flag of India.svg Leander Paes Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jean-Julien Rojer
Flag of Romania.svg Horia Tecău
5–7, 4–6
Loss1–2 Sep 2014 Shenzhen Open, China250 SeriesHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Guccione Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jean-Julien Rojer
Flag of Romania.svg Horia Tecău
4–6, 6–7(4–7)
Loss1–3 Oct 2014 Kremlin Cup, Russia250 SeriesHard (i) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Guccione Flag of the Czech Republic.svg František Čermák
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Jiří Veselý
6–7(2–7), 5–7
Win2–3 Jul 2016 Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, United States250 SeriesGrass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Guccione Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan Marray
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Adil Shamasdin
6–4, 6–3

ATP Challenger and ITF Futures finals

Singles: 22 (11–11)

Legend
ATP Challenger (4–6)
ITF Futures (7–5)
Finals by surface
Hard (7–8)
Clay (1–1)
Grass (2–2)
Carpet (1–0)
ResultW–L   Date   TournamentTierSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss0–1Oct 2006Australia F12, Mildura FuturesGrass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alun Jones 6–3, 5–7, 4–6
Loss0–2Oct 2007Australia F7, Gloucester FuturesClay Flag of Australia (converted).svg Miles Armstrong 7–6(8–6), 1–6, 3–6
Win1–2Apr 2009USA F7, Mobile FuturesHard Flag of the United States.svg Jesse Witten 6–2, 3–0 ret.
Loss1–3May 2009 Fergana, UzbekistanChallengerHard Flag of Slovakia.svg Lukáš Lacko 6–4, 5–7, 6–7(4–7)
Win2–3Oct 2010Turkey F9, Antalya FuturesHard Flag of Moldova.svg Radu Albot 6–3, 6–1
Win3–3Oct 2010Turkey F10, Antalya FuturesHard Flag of Ukraine.svg Artem Smirnov 6–4, 6–2
Loss3–4Nov 2010Australia F12, Traralgon FuturesHard Flag of Israel.svg Amir Weintraub 2–6, 4–6
Win4–4Dec 2010Australia F13, Bendigo FuturesHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Benjamin Mitchell 7–6(9–7), 6–4
Loss4–5Feb 2012 Burnie, AustraliaChallengerHard Flag of Thailand.svg Danai Udomchoke 6–7(5–7), 3–6
Win5–5Mar 2012Australia F3, Ipswich FuturesClay Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jason Kubler 5–7, 6–3, 6–2
Win6–5May 2012Korea F1, Daegu FuturesHard Flag of Denmark.svg Frederik Nielsen 6–7(4–7), 6–4, 6–1
Loss6–6May 2012Korea F2, Changwon FuturesHard Flag of Poland.svg Michał Przysiężny 6–3, 5–7, 3–6
Loss6–7Sep 2012Australia F6, Alice Springs FuturesHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matthew Barton 6–7(3–7), 3–6
Win7–7Feb 2013Australia F2, Mildura FuturesGrass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matthew Barton 6–1, 6–4
Loss7–8Nov 2013 Champaign-Urbana, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of the United States.svg Tennys Sandgren 6–3, 3–6, 6–7(4–7)
Win8–8Mar 2014 Rimouski, CanadaChallengerHard Flag of Croatia.svg Ante Pavić 7–6(7–3), 6–2
Loss8–9Apr 2014 Leon, MexicoChallengerHard Flag of the United States.svg Rajeev Ram 2–6, 2–6
Loss8–10Jun 2014 Nottingham, United KingdomChallengerGrass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nick Kyrgios 6–7(3–7), 6–7(7–9)
Loss8–11Nov 2014 Knoxville, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of France.svg Adrian Mannarino 6–3, 6–7(6–8), 4–6
Win9–11May 2015 Taipei, TaiwanChallengerCarpet Flag of Russia.svg Konstantin Kravchuk 6–7(5–7), 6–4, 7–6(7–3)
Win10–11Jun 2015 Manchester, United KingdomChallengerGrass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Luke Saville 7–5, 6–1
Win11–11Oct 2016 Las Vegas, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of Colombia.svg Santiago Giraldo 6–7(4–7), 6–4, 7–5

Doubles: 40 (30–10)

Legend
ATP Challenger (19–5)
ITF Futures (11–5)
Finals by surface
Hard (21–8)
Clay (2–1)
Grass (5–1)
Carpet (2–0)
ResultW–L   Date   TournamentTierSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win1–0Nov 2005Australia F11, Barmera FuturesGrass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joseph Sirianni Flag of Australia (converted).svg Callum Beale
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joel Kerley
6–2, 5–7, [10–4]
Loss1–1Jul 2006Great Britain F10, Frinton-on-Sea FuturesGrass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Andrew Coelho Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andrew Kennaugh
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Rushby
5–7, 7–6(7–3), 4–6
Loss1–2Sep 2006France F12, Bagnères-de-Bigorre FuturesHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Paul Baccanello Flag of France.svg Thomas Oger
Flag of France.svg Nicolas Tourte
6–2, 3–6, 4–6
Loss1–3Mar 2007Great Britain F6, Sunderland FuturesHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Andrew Coelho Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jamie Baker
Flag of Pakistan.svg Aisam Qureshi
3–6, 6–3, 3–6
Win2–3May 2007Algeria F3, Algiers FuturesClay Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Edward Seator Flag of Slovakia.svg Matus Horecny
Flag of Slovakia.svg Martin Hromec
6–3, 3–6, 6–1
Win3–3Jun 2007Spain F21, Puerto Cruz FuturesCarpet Flag of Australia (converted).svg Andrew Coelho Flag of Spain.svg Agustin Boje-Ordonez
Flag of Spain.svg Pablo Martin-Adalia
6–4, 7–6(7–5)
Win4–3Sep 2007France F12, Bagnères-de-Bigorre FuturesHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Andrew Coelho Flag of Australia (converted).svg Daniel King-Turner
Flag of France.svg Pierrick Ysern
6–4, 4–6, [10–6]
Win5–3Oct 2007Australia F7, Gloucester FuturesClay Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joseph Sirianni Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kaden Hensel
Flag of France.svg Adam Hubble
6–4, 6–3
Win6–3Dec 2007 Burnie, AustraliaChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Joseph Sirianni Flag of the United States.svg Nima Roshan
Flag of Australia (converted).svg José Statham
6–3, 1–6, [10–4]
Win7–3Feb 2008Australia F1, Mildura FuturesGrass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nathan Healey Flag of Australia (converted).svg Andrew Coelho
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brydan Klein
6–3, 6–4
Win8–3Mar 2008Australia F3, Perth FuturesHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Adam Feeney Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matthew Ebden
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Miles Armstrong
5–7, 6–4, [10–7]
Win9–3May 2008 New Delhi, IndiaChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Colin Ebelthite Flag of Kuwait.svg Mohammad Ghareeb
Flag of Ukraine.svg Illya Marchenko
2–6, 7–6(7–5), [10–8]
Win10–3Aug 2009 Campos do Jordão, BrazilChallengerHard Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Josh Goodall Flag of Brazil.svg Rogério Dutra Silva
Flag of Brazil.svg Júlio Silva
7–6(7–4), 6–3
Win11–3Feb 2010 Burnie, AustraliaChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matthew Ebden Flag of Australia (converted).svg James Lemke
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Dane Propoggia
6–7(8–10), 7–6(7–4), [10–8]
Win12–3Feb 2010Australia F1, Mildura FuturesGrass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matthew Ebden Flag of Australia (converted).svg Adam Hubble
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sadik Kadir
6–3, 4–6, [10–4]
Win13–3Feb 2010Australia F2, Berri FuturesGrass Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matthew Ebden Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg Huang Liang-chi
Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg Lee Hsin-han
6–3, 7–6(9–7)
Loss13–4Nov 2010Australia F12, Traralgon FuturesHard Flag of Germany.svg Sebastian Rieschick Flag of Australia (converted).svg Colin Ebelthite
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Adam Feeney
3–6, 6–4, [13–15]
Win14–4Feb 2011 Caloundra, AustraliaChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matthew Ebden Flag of Slovakia.svg Pavol Červenák
Flag of Slovakia.svg Ivo Klec
6–3, 3–6, [10–1]
Loss14–5Mar 2012 Pingguo, ChinaChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Colin Ebelthite Flag of the United States.svg John Paul Fruttero
Flag of South Africa.svg Raven Klaasen
2–6, 4–6
Win15–5May 2012Korea F1, Daegu FuturesHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Adam Hubble Flag of South Korea.svg Hong Chung
Flag of South Korea.svg Suk-Young Jeong
6–1, 6–4
Loss15–6Jul 2012 Wuhan, ChinaChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Adam Feeney Flag of Thailand.svg Sonchat Ratiwatana
Flag of Thailand.svg Sanchai Ratiwatana
4–6, 6–2, [8–10]
Loss15–7Sep 2012Australia F6, Alice Springs FuturesHard Flag of New Zealand.svg Michael Venus Flag of Australia (converted).svg Adam Feeney
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nick Lindahl
6–4, 2–6, [8–10]
Win16–7Jan 2013 Nouméa, New CaledoniaChallengerHard Flag of Japan.svg Toshihide Matsui Flag of New Zealand.svg Artem Sitak
Flag of New Zealand.svg José Statham
7–6(8–6), 1–6, [10–4]
Win17–7Feb 2013 West Lakes, AustraliaChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matt Reid Flag of Australia (converted).svg James Duckworth
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Greg Jones
6–2, 6–4
Win18–7Feb 2013Australia F2, Mildura FuturesGrass Flag of Australia (converted).svg John-Patrick Smith Flag of Australia (converted).svg Colin Ebelthite
Flag of South Africa.svg Ruan Roelofse
6–3, 6–4
Win19–7Mar 2013 Rimouski, CanadaChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg John-Patrick Smith Flag of Germany.svg Philipp Marx
Flag of Romania.svg Florin Mergea
7–6(7–5), 7–6(9–7)
Loss19–8Apr 2013 Guadalajara, MexicoChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg John-Patrick Smith Flag of Croatia.svg Marin Draganja
Flag of Croatia.svg Mate Pavić
7–5, 2–6, [11–13]
Loss19–9May 2013 Anning, ChinaChallengerClay Flag of Australia (converted).svg John-Patrick Smith Flag of Russia.svg Victor Baluda
Flag of Croatia.svg Dino Marcan
7–6(7–5), 4–6, [7–10]
Win20–9May 2013 Kunming, ChinaChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg John-Patrick Smith Flag of Japan.svg Yasutaka Uchiyama
Flag of Japan.svg Go Soeda
6–4, 6–1
Win21–9Nov 2013 Knoxville, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg John-Patrick Smith Flag of Australia (converted).svg Carsten Ball
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Peter Polansky
6–7(6–8), 6–2, [10–7]
Win22–9Feb 2014 Dallas, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Guccione Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Harrison
Flag of the Bahamas.svg Mark Knowles
6–4, 6–2
Win23–9Apr 2014 Leon, MexicoChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Guccione Flag of New Zealand.svg Marcus Daniell
Flag of New Zealand.svg Artem Sitak
6–3, 6–4
Win24–9Apr 2014 Shenzhen, ChinaChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Guccione Flag of Germany.svg Dominik Meffert
Flag of Germany.svg Tim Pütz
6–3, 7–6(7–5)
Win25–9May 2014 Taipei, TaiwanChallengerCarpet Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Guccione Flag of the United States.svg Austin Krajicek
Flag of Australia (converted).svg John-Patrick Smith
6–4, 5–7, [10–8]
Win26–9May 2014 Gimcheon, South KoreaChallengerHard Flag of Australia (converted).svg Chris Guccione Flag of the United States.svg Austin Krajicek
Flag of Australia (converted).svg John-Patrick Smith
6–7(5–7), 5–7, [10–4]
Loss26–10Apr 2016 Leon, MexicoChallengerHard Flag of India.svg Leander Paes Flag of Mexico.svg Santiago González
Flag of Croatia.svg Mate Pavić
4–6, 6–3, [11–13]
Win27–10May 2016 Busan, South KoreaChallengerHard Flag of India.svg Leander Paes Flag of Thailand.svg Sonchat Ratiwatana
Flag of Thailand.svg Sanchai Ratiwatana
4–6, 6–1, [10–7]
Win28–10Oct 2016 Stockton, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of the United States.svg Brian Baker Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matt Reid
Flag of Australia (converted).svg John-Patrick Smith
6–2, 4–6, [10–2]
Win29–10Nov 2016 Charlottesville, United StatesChallengerHard Flag of the United States.svg Brian Baker Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Brydan Klein
Flag of South Africa.svg Ruan Roelofse
6–3, 6–3
Win30–10Mar 2017 Drummondville, CanadaChallengerHard Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Adil Shamasdin Flag of Australia (converted).svg Matt Reid
Flag of Australia (converted).svg John-Patrick Smith
6–2, 2–6, [10–8]

Junior Grand Slam finals

Doubles: 1 (1 runner-up)

ResultYearTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss 2005 Wimbledon Grass Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Andrew Kennaugh Flag of the United States.svg Jesse Levine
Flag of the United States.svg Michael Shabaz
4–6, 1–6

Performance timelines

Key
W F SFQF#RRRQ#P#DNQAZ#POGSBNMSNTIPNH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (P#) preliminary round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (Z#) Davis/Fed Cup Zonal Group (with number indication) or (PO) play-off; (G) gold, (S) silver or (B) bronze Olympic/Paralympic medal; (NMS) not a Masters tournament; (NTI) not a Tier I tournament; (P) postponed; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.
To avoid confusion and double counting, these charts are updated at the conclusion of a tournament or when the player's participation has ended.

Singles

Tournament 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 SRW–LWin %
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open AA Q2 1R Q1 Q1 A Q1 1R 3R 2R 1R Q1 0 / 53–538%
French Open AAAAAAA Q1 Q3 1R 1R Q1 A0 / 20–20%
Wimbledon AAA Q1 AAA Q2 1R 3R 1R Q1 A0 / 32–30%
US Open AA Q2 Q1 AAA Q1 2R 2R Q1 Q1 A0 / 22–250%
Win–loss0–00–00–00–10–00–00–00–01–35–41–30–10–00 / 127–1237%
National representation
Summer Olympics NHANot HeldANot Held 1R NH0 / 10–10%
Davis Cup AAAAAAAA PO SF 1R SF A0 / 22–433%
ATP World Tour Masters 1000
Indian Wells AAAAA Q1 AA 1R 1R 1R Q1 A0 / 30–30%
Miami AAAAAAAAA 1R 2R AA0 / 21–233%
Canada Masters AAAAAAAAAA Q1 AA0 / 00–0  
Shanghai Masters Not HeldAAAAA 1R AAAA0 / 10–10%
Win–loss0–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–20–21–20–00–00 / 61–614%
Career statistics
Titles / Finals0 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 0
Overall win–loss0–00–01–11–20–00–00–01–310–1319–224–162–50–00 / 6238–6238%
Year-end ranking6813412652702935752111838160181248Prize Money $1,950,436

Doubles

Tournament 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 SRW–L
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open AA 1R 1R 1R 2R A 2R 1R 3R 3R QF QF 0 / 1012–10
French Open AAAAAAAA SF 1R 1R 3R A0 / 46–4
Wimbledon AAAAAAA 2R 1R 1R 3R 3R A0 / 55–5
US Open AAAAAAAA 2R 2R 3R 1R A0 / 44–4
Win–loss0–00–00–10–10–11–10–02–25–43–46–47–43–10 / 2327–23
National representation
Summer Olympics NHANot HeldANot HeldANH0 / 00–0
Davis Cup AAAAAAAA PO SF 1R SF A0 / 23–3
Win–loss0–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–00–01–21–01–10–00 / 23–3
Career statistics
Titles / Finals0 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 00 / 01 / 40 / 01 / 10 / 00 / 02 / 5
Overall win–loss0–00–00–10–10–12–20–04–324–138–2015–913–83–169–59
Year-end ranking4382962874002232043087931131498054%

Political career

Electoral performance (Pre-selection)
Year(s)ElectorateCandidatesVotes
2022 [b] Nepean  Sam Groth74
 David Burgess33
Elizabeth Miller 4

On 22 February 2022, Groth, a member of the Liberal Party since 2021, [10] won pre-selection for the Liberal Party in the marginal Labor-held electorate of Nepean, [11] the electorate in which Groth resides. [12] This would allow Groth to contest the electorate for the party in the upcoming Victorian election (November 2022). Groth had told Sky News Australia he was frustrated with the COVID-related lockdowns in Victoria. [13] Groth won the three-candidate contest with seventy-four votes (67%), compared with runner-up David Burgess' thirty-three, and former Bentleigh MP Elizabeth Miller with four. [11] He had the backing of former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett, Federal Treasurer at the time, Josh Frydenberg, state MP for Brighton James Newbury and former Nepean MP Martin Dixon. [10]

2022 Victorian election

Electoral term
YearsElectorateTerm
2022–2026 Nepean   60th

Contesting a former safe Liberal seat, and one of the most marginal Labor-held seats at the previous election (2018), Groth stood a good chance of regaining the seat for the party. Speaking before the election, Groth stated of his possibility to win the seat: "It's been extremely positive. I'm confident, if we are to have any chance tonight of the Liberal Party and the Coalition getting into government in this state, Nepean is the one that has to turn." [14]

Groth claimed victory of Nepean the night of the election. [14] [15] After the election, Groth was appointed as Shadow Minister for Youth and Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport and Events in the Pesutto shadow ministry. [16]

Personal life

Groth was born in Narrandera, New South Wales, and grew up in the Riverina area of southern New South Wales. Groth is an avid supporter of the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League. [2] He was also a member of Vermont Football Club reserve squad during a hiatus from tennis in 2011. [17]

In January 2019 Groth received the OLY post-nominal title at the Brisbane International tournament. [18]

Between 2009 and 2011, Groth was married to Slovakian-Australian tennis player Jarmila Wolfe.

Groth married long-time partner Brittany Boys in 2018. Boys, a Melburnian, was an amateur women's tennis player and competed at the university level for the University of Richmond in the United States. [19] Groth and Boys have two young children, twins Mason and Parker, born in April 2021. [20] [21] Groth lives with his family in Blairgowrie, Victoria. [22] [23]

Notes

  1. Matthew Bach in the previous shadow cabinet held the position of: "Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs".
  2. To determine the Liberal candidate that will run for the seat.

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  9. Schlink, Leo (10 January 2018). "Sam Groth plays his last singles match in loss to Taylor Fritz in Australian Open qualifying". News.com.au. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  10. 1 2 Brook, Stephen; Hutchinson, Samantha (22 February 2022). "Sam Groth hopes to ace Nepean preselection". The Age.
  11. 1 2 Sakkal, Paul (22 February 2022). "Tennis player turned commentator Sam Groth wins Liberal candidacy". The Age.
  12. Sakkal, Paul; Morgan, Cassandra (14 December 2021). "Tennis player Sam Groth weighs up running as Liberal in state election". The Age .
  13. "Former tennis star wins Liberal preselection". Sky News Australia . 23 February 2022.
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  15. "Sky News Australia calls a Liberal gain for Nepean". Sky News Australia. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
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  23. Hales, Holly (15 December 2021). "Former Aussie tennis star Sam Groth weighs up shock career switch". news.com.au . Retrieved 6 November 2022.
Parliament of Victoria
Preceded by Member for Nepean
2022–present
Incumbent
Records
Preceded by Fastest serve world record holder
12 May 2012 – present
Succeeded by
Incumbent