Sam Groth is confident that he will be ready to play at the Australian Open for the final time in his career next month.
Groth, who has been ranked as high as 53rd in the world, announced that he will retire from the sport after the Melbourne major. The 30-year-old has been hit with speculations of an injury problem after he withdrew from this week’s Australian Open wildcard playoff tournament. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, he withdrew from the event due to a back injury. Despite the concerns, Groth has contradicted the media report by saying that he is not injured.
“I’m not injured and nothing has changed regarding the Australian Open,” he told Fox Sports Australia.
“I wasn’t ready to play the wildcard playoff and was never going to play it.
“Everything is fine and I’m excited about playing the Australian Open as my last tournament.”
Currently ranked 248th in the world, Groth isn’t ranked high enough to be a direct entrant into the Australian Open main draw. Meaning that he will be required to play in the qualifying tournament a week before hand.
There is still a chance that he could reach the main draw without going through qualifying via wildcard. Selectors still have three wildcard’s left to hand out after this week, but the Australian isn’t getting his hopes up.
“I’m not expecting a wildcard,” stated Groth.
“If that happens, it would be great, but I don’t expect it.
“I’m getting ready to play ‘qualies’ and I’ll take it from there.”
During his career, Groth has won four Challenger titles and represented his country in eight Davis Cup ties since 2014. At the grand slams, he reached the third round at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon during 2015. In the doubles, Groth has won two ATP titles alongside compatriot Chris Guccione. The 2014 Bogota Open and the 2016 Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport.
The Australian Open will get underway on January 15th. Groth is also planning to participate in the doubles and mixed doubles tournaments.
