Former Aussie tennis star Sam Groth has called for tournament organisers at Melbourne Park to formally recognise Australia Day. January 26 will see the staging of the men's final - and besides the action on-court at Rod Laver Arena, Groth wants to see the national day celebrated accordingly.
![[January 26 will see the staging of the men's final - and besides the action on-court at Rod Laver Arena, Sam Groth wants to see the national day celebrated accordingly (pictured, fans at the Open this year)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/17/23/94227983-14298359-January_26_will_see_the_staging_of_the_men_s_final_and_besides_t-a-14_1737156073528.jpg)
'Australia Day should be celebrated at the Australian Open,' the deputy leader of the Victorian Liberal Party said. 'I'll be celebrating.....and there is no better way to celebrate the very best of Australia than with the eyes of the country and the world on our largest major sporting event.'.
Despite Groth's plea, it is understood celebrating will be at a minimum, with Tennis Australia reportedly only planning to fly a flag as well as having local artist Beau Woodbridge - the son of tennis great Todd Woodbridge - perform the national anthem.
The development comes despite other dedicated days to promote sponsors Emirates (January 14) and Kia (January 19) as well as All Abilities Day (Jan 21), Women's and Girls' Day (January 23) and Pride Day (January 24). Former Aussie tennis star Sam Groth has called for tournament organisers at Melbourne Park to formally recognise Australia Day.
January 26 will see the staging of the men's final - and besides the action on-court at Rod Laver Arena, Sam Groth wants to see the national day celebrated accordingly (pictured, fans at the Open this year). The Australian Open has virtually removed formal recognition of the national day in recent years amid a push to change the date of Australia Day.
