Samuel Groth (born 19 October 1987) is an Australian politician and professional tennis player. He was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly for the seat of Nepean in 2022 representing the Victorian Liberal Party until his retirement from Parliament in February 2026, causing a by-election. Prior to his resignation from Parliament he had served Deputy Leader of the state Liberal Party between 27 December 2024 and 28 January 2026.
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 holds the record for the world's fastest serve at 263 km/h (163.4 mph), which he hit 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.
Groth and Andrew Kennaugh of Great Britain made it to the finals of the 2005 Wimbledon boys' doubles championship, coming runners up to Jesse Levine and Michael Shabaz 6–4, 6–1.
2007–2013: Fastest serve on record
In 2007, Groth beat compatriot Mark Philippoussis; subsequently, Philippoussis focused on the senior's 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.
In 2012, during 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.
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 Dunlop World Challenge the following week, his ranking improved to a career high of no.173.
In 2014, Groth was awarded a wildcard into the main draw at the Brisbane International, where he made his first ATP World Tour quarterfinal appearance.
On 8 January, Groth was awarded a wildcard into the main draw at the Australian Open, albeit lost in the first round to 28th seed, Vasek Pospisil in straight sets.
In March, Groth qualified for the Indian Wells Masters, although, his journey in the tournament didn't last long as he lost in the first round 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 no.1 seed, Rajeev Ram. This success shot him up to a new career high world ranking of 136.
At the 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 semifinal. This increased his doubles ranking to a career high of no.41. In June, Groth made the final of the 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 the first round to Alexandr Dolgopolov in straight sets.
In July, Groth entered the Hall of Fame Open, where he reached his maiden ATP semi-final, defeating defending champion Nicolas Mahut in the quarterfinal. This achievement saw him break into the top 100 rankings for the first time in his career.
In August, Groth won his first Grand Slam match, defeating Albert Ramos Viñolas 6–3, 7–6(7–5), 6–3 in the US Open. In the second round, he was defeated by Roger Federer in straight sets 4–6, 4–6, 4–6.
Groth started the 2015 season at the 2015 Brisbane International, where he was awarded a wildcard into the main draw. He defeated defending champion and compatriot Lleyton Hewitt in the first round, and then Łukasz Kubot in the second round before losing to eventual finalist Milos Raonic in the quarterfinals 6–7(5–7), 6–3, 6–7(2–7).