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Sam Groth announces tennis retirement

Newcombe medallist Sam Groth will play one final Australian Open in 2018 before hanging up the racquet for good.

The big-serving 30-year-old made his professional debut in 2006 and reached a career-high ranking of world No.53 in 2015 before injuries struck.

Groth revealed his decision in an interview with News Corp, saying the tour slog began to overwhelm him throughout 2017.

“It’s been something I’ve been thinking about since Wimbledon,” Groth said.

“I went to Newport, a tournament I’ve done really well at in the past. I qualied, won a round and I was playing John Isner on centre court and part of me just really didn’t want to be there."

Sam Groth. Pic: Getty
Sam Groth. Pic: Getty

Groth made the third round at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2015 and was a significant part of Australia's Davis Cup team that reached the semi-finals that year.

He was rewarded for his performances with the 2015 Newcombe Medal, the highest individual honour in Australian tennis.

He also found some success on the doubles circuit, reaching the quarter-finals (men's) and semi-finals (mixed) at this year's Australian Open and the men's doubles semis at the 2014 French Open.