After last year's US Open, Sam Groth had every intention to gear up for a strong finish to 2017 and start 2018 on the best note possible in Australia. But something changed inside Groth. The 6'4” Aussie, who possessed one of the biggest serves on the ATP World Tour, lacked the same desire to improve as he had shown throughout his career. So after talking with Lleyton Hewitt and others close to him, Groth decided that he would retire in 2018, and he'd do it at home, at the Australian Open. “I just don't think my heart was in it to keep going,” Groth said. “I wanted to be able to go out at home as well.” The 30-year-old partnered...
Before he reached the Australian Open semi-finals last week, it had been the breakout week of his career. South Korea's Hyeon Chung sped through the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan in November, going 5-0 to claim the 21-and-under title. But Chung, who turns 22 in May, won't be able to defend his crown come 6-10 November 2018. Who might hoist the Next Gen ATP Finals “X” trophy instead? ATPWorldTour.com takes a look at some of the possible candidates. TWO POTENTIAL RETURNERS Andrey Rublev (Rank: 35; Age: 20): Tennis fans across the world should know Rublev's name after his 2017. The Russian won his first title at the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag in July and became the youngest...
Australian Sam Groth discusses his decision to retire as well as his career highlights with former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt in this edition of ATP World Tour Uncovered presented by Peugeot.