Home-grown tennis star blasts the Australian Open over its plans to 'celebrate' January 26: 'We need more than just flags and the anthem'
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Melbourne based former tennis star Sam Groth has slammed the Australian Open over its plans to 'celebrate' January 26, calling for 'more than just flags and the national anthem.'. Groth, 37, retired from the ATP circuit in 2018, before turning his attention to politics.
![[It comes as Australian Open boss Craig Tiley stated the tournament will have a strong Australia Day presence on men's finals day]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/22/22/94411475-14314919-It_comes_as_Australian_Open_boss_Craig_Tiley_stated_the_tourname-m-22_1737585513507.jpg)
Now the Deputy Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, the father of two wants to see Australia's national day on full display at Melbourne Park. '[It] would absolutely be more appropriate to have something more major than just the flags, and...singing the national anthem,' he said.
![[Aussie tennis fans cheering on Talia Gibson in her match against Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez on January 13 at Melbourne Park]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/22/22/94409315-14314919-image-a-20_1737585446762.jpg)
'Yes, we can acknowledge some of the flaws of our country, but give those that want to celebrate, that come on site, the opportunity to.'. It comes as Australian Open boss Craig Tiley stated the tournament will have a strong Australia Day presence on men's finals day.
![[In recent years, the Australian Open has virtually removed formal recognition of January 26 amid a push to change the date of Australia Day (pictured, Aussie spectators cheering on local Chris O'Connell this year)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/22/22/94409333-14314919-image-a-23_1737585532305.jpg)
Melbourne based former tennis star Sam Groth has slammed the Australian Open over its plans to 'celebrate' January 26, calling for 'more than just flags and the national anthem'. It comes as Australian Open boss Craig Tiley stated the tournament will have a strong Australia Day presence on men's finals day.
![[Aussie fans in green and gold cheering on Thanasi Kokkinakis during his five set thriller against Jack Draper]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/22/23/94409285-14314919-image-a-29_1737587426584.jpg)
Aussie tennis fans cheering on Talia Gibson in her match against Turkey's Zeynep Sonmez on January 13 at Melbourne Park. In recent years, the Australian Open has virtually removed formal recognition of January 26 amid a push to change the date of Australia Day (pictured, Aussie spectators cheering on local Chris O'Connell this year).
