Daily London
The former tennis pro cited “public pressure” placed on his family and challenges within the Liberal Party for his decision to step away from parliament.
“After many conversations with my wife and with a great deal of personal thought, I have informed the Leader of the Opposition that I have decided that I cannot continue in Parliament beyond the 2026 election,” Groth said in a statement.
“The public pressure placed on my family in recent months has been significant, and realising that some of it came from within my own party has been difficult to ignore.
“Coming to that realisation has forced some very personal reflection.”
Groth has served as the MP for Nepean, on the Mornington Peninsula, since 2022, when he claimed election victory with a two-party swing of 7.1 per cent in his favour.
He was selected unopposed as Deputy Leader in December 2024, under the new leadership of Brad Battin. He is now serving the current leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, Jess Wilson.
“I entered public life to serve my community, to represent the Mornington Peninsula, and to stand up for what I believe is in the best interests of Victorians,” Mr Groth said.
“I have always tried to approach this job with honesty, hard work and a clear focus on the people who put their trust in me.
“But when you find yourself having to fight against your own team, it becomes impossible to put those interests first.
“That is not the standard I came into public life to accept, and it is not the kind of politics Victorians deserve.”
A private settlement was reached between the two parties in November last year.
Groth described his time in public life as “an extremely challenging period for my family”.
“We took on this role for the right reasons, to contribute to our community and try to make a positive difference,” Groth said.
“That purpose has never changed, but the environment around it has.”
He entered the professional tennis circuit in 2006 and peaked at World No. 53 in the Men’s Singles in 2015.
Groth reached a career high of World No. 24 in doubles, making the semi-finals of the 2014 French Open, as well as the semi-finals of the mixed doubles at the 2017 Australian Open alongside fellow Aussie Sam Stosur.
He holds the world record for the fastest serve, hitting 263 km/h at the ATP Challenger in Busan in 2012.
The father of two announced his retirement from professional tennis after the 2018 Australian Open.
