Groth hopes for Open swan song
FORMER Davis Cup star Sam Groth remains hopeful of an Australian Open swan song despite sitting out the wildcard playoff at Melbourne Park.
Groth, 30, is retiring after next month’s Open but wants to go out in style contesting his last home grand slam in front of family and friends in Melbourne. But the former Newcombe Medallist was a late scratching from the wildcard playoff and now faces needing to survive qualifying.
“It’s a tough time of the year and I just wasn’t prepared enough to put my best foot forward in the playoff,” Groth said on Monday.
“But I’ll be there in quallies.” If he fails to qualify, Groth will need Tennis Australia to award him a discretionary wildcard for the Open, starting on January 15. “I’m not expecting a wildcard,” he said.