Former professional tennis player and rising Victorian Liberal star Sam Groth has confirmed he will leave politics at the 2026 state election, bringing his parliamentary career to an end after just one term amid intense personal and political pressure.
Sam Groth has announced he will leave Victorian politics after one term, citing family and internal party pressures (Source: News.com)
Groth, who currently serves as the Victorian Liberal Party’s deputy leader, said ongoing scrutiny of his family life and internal party conflict made it impossible for him to continue in public office.
The 38-year-old confirmed on Monday that he will not recontest his seat of Nepean, a marginal electorate on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula that he won from Labor in 2022.
Family Pressure Forces a Political Reckoning
Sam Groth confirmed on Monday that he will not recontest his seat of Nepean at the 2026 state election, later sharing a social media post summarising his decision.
View this post on Instagram
He said the toll on his family had become overwhelming, particularly after a series of media stories and legal disputes placed their personal lives under intense public scrutiny.
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 election, Groth said.
He said he had entered politics to serve his community and make a positive contribution, but the environment surrounding the role had changed in ways that made that increasingly difficult.
Legal Dispute Exposes Party Tensions
Groth’s announcement follows the conclusion of a high-profile legal dispute between himself, his wife, and Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper.
The case centred on articles published in July last year that examined the timeline of the couple’s relationship. During court proceedings, it was revealed that a Liberal MP had supplied the newspaper with what was described as a piece of gossip about Groth and his wife.
Herald Sun, Tuesday 18 November 2025 pic.twitter.com/fzVbFOawRz
— Sam Groth MP (@SamGrothMP) November 17, 2025
Groth said discovering that the information had come from within his own party was deeply distressing and forced him to confront uncomfortable truths about his political environment.
Realising that some of it came from within my own party has been difficult to ignore, he said.
Coming to that realisation has forced some very personal reflection.
Impossible to Serve Voters While Under Attack
Groth said the internal pressure undermined his ability to do the job he was elected to perform.
He said he had always approached his role with honesty and hard work, but being forced to deal with internal hostility made it increasingly difficult to put the interests of voters first.
When you find yourself having to fight against your own team, it becomes impossible to put those interests first, he said.
That is not the standard I came into public life to accept, and it is not the kind of politics Victorians deserve.
A Fast Rise in Victorian Politics
Groth entered Victorian politics in 2022 after a high profile transition from professional sport to public life.
He won the seat of Nepean, covering the southern end of the Mornington Peninsula, in one of the tightest contests of the election. The Liberals reclaimed the seat from Labor by less than one percentage point, making it one of the party’s most significant gains.
Groth’s public profile, shaped by his sporting career, made him an immediate standout in parliament. He was later appointed deputy leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, positioning him as one of the party’s most senior figures and a key part of its future leadership.
Controversy During His First Term
Despite his rapid rise, Groth’s first term was marked by controversy.
In early 2024, he came under fire after using a chauffeur-driven parliamentary vehicle to travel home from the Australian Open following a political fundraiser.
Groth defended the decision at the time, saying he had been hosting a fundraising event with Nationals MP Jade Benham and was meeting political stakeholders.
The incident generated significant media attention and political criticism, adding to the scrutiny he was already facing.
From Tennis Stardom to the Political Spotlight
Before entering parliament, Groth enjoyed a long and successful tennis career.
He set a world record for the fastest serve in 2012 and reached a career high ATP singles ranking of 53 in 2015, making him one of Australia’s most prominent male players of his era.
His move into politics was widely seen as an unusual but high-impact transition, bringing a fresh public profile to the Victorian Liberal Party at a time when it was seeking to rebuild.
What His Exit Means for the Liberals
Groth’s decision not to recontest Nepean creates a significant challenge for the Liberal Party ahead of the 2026 state election.
The seat is ultra marginal and likely to be a top target for Labor, meaning the Liberals will need to find a strong candidate to defend it without one of their most recognisable figures.
It is also unclear whether Groth will continue in his role as deputy leader until the election or step aside earlier, potentially triggering further leadership changes inside the party.
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Looking Beyond Parliament
Groth said he will now take time to consider his future and the opportunities ahead.
While he did not indicate whether he intends to return to sport, business, or another field, he made it clear that his priority is his family after what he described as an extremely challenging period.
We took on this role for the right reasons, to contribute to our community and try to make a positive difference, he said.
That purpose has never changed, but the environment around it has.
With his decision now public, one of Victoria’s most high-profile political careers appears set to end almost as quickly as it began.
FAQs
- Why is Sam Groth leaving politics?
Sam Groth says he decided to step away from politics after ongoing pressure on his family became too heavy to manage. He also pointed to internal tensions within his own party, saying the environment made it difficult to continue serving voters effectively.
- When will Sam Groth leave parliament?
Groth will remain in his seat until the next Victorian state election in 2026. He has confirmed he will not run again once that election is held.
- Which seat does Sam Groth represent?
Sam Groth is the Member for Nepean, a marginal electorate on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula that includes several coastal and suburban communities.
- What happened with the newspaper case involving Groth?
Groth and his wife were involved in a legal dispute with a major Melbourne newspaper over stories published about their relationship. The matter was later settled, but Groth said the experience placed significant strain on his family.
- Why did internal party issues matter so much in his decision?
Groth said it was especially difficult to discover that some of the pressure his family faced came from within his own political party. That realisation forced him to rethink whether he could continue working in that environment.
- Will Sam Groth remain deputy leader until the election?
At this stage, it is unclear whether Groth will stay on as deputy leader until the 2026 election or step down earlier. The party has not yet announced any changes.
- What does his departure mean for the Liberal Party?
Groth’s exit leaves the Liberals facing a tough battle to hold Nepean, which is one of the most marginal seats in Victoria. The party will now need to find a strong replacement candidate ahead of the next election.
- What is Sam Groth expected to do after politics?
Groth has not announced any specific plans. He has said he will take time to consider his future, with his main focus now being on his family after a difficult period in public life.
