Sydney NSW, Australia, 24 December 2015 | apiainternational.com.au

Newcombe Medal winner Sam Groth (Vic) will return home to kickstart his 2016 season, with the NSW born and bred 28-year-old granted a wildcard into the Apia International Sydney.

Groth enjoyed a breakout season in 2015 which saw him reach the third round of both the Australian Open and Wimbledon – where he faced Roger Federer on Centre Court – and play a major role in Australia’s Davis Cup comeback win over Kazakhstan in Darwin.

He capped his stellar year with the ultimate reward, receiving Australian Tennis’s top prize, the Newcombe Medal, at a ceremony in Melbourne in November.

“I was born and raised in NSW and I’m a big Sydney Swans supporter so to get the chance to come and play in Sydney is fantastic,” said Groth.

“It’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world and we’re lucky to have a tournament there.

“It’s a tournament that feels like home to me so I’m excited to get back. I lost a tough one to Gilles Muller last year so hopefully I can get through a few more matches this time round.

“With the home support behind you and with a good crowd there’s no reason being an Australian that you can’t do well there.”

Groth joins a main draw that includes another Aussie in top seed Bernard Tomic (Qld), defending champion Viktor Troicki (SRB) and Wimbledon semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov (BUL).

Apia International Sydney 2016, proudly supported by Apia in association with Volkswagen and The NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, will take place at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre from 10-16 January 2016.

For further tournament information please visit www.apiainternational.com.au.