In recent discussions surrounding the emerging talent in tennis, much attention has been drawn to the remarkable similarities between 16-year-old Cruz Hewitt and his father, former world number one Lleyton Hewitt. Both share a fierce determination and athletic prowess that has become synonymous with the Hewitt name. Cruz has also adopted some of Lleyton’s signature traits, including the ever-present backward cap and enthusiastic exclamations of “C’mon!” during matches.
However, as observed at last month’s NSW Open, Cruz is carving out his own niche in the sport, showcasing a style distinct from his father’s. The duo competed as a wildcard pairing, and during their time on the court, Cruz’s flair was on full display. An exhilarating moment from the match against Hayden Jones and Pavle Marinkov has since circulated widely on social media, earning widespread acclaim for its sheer audacity. Lleyton expressed his astonishment at one particular shot, where Cruz executed a massive forehand winner from a challenging position on the court. The ball zipped past the net, weaving between the chair umpire and a ball kid before miraculously landing in the court, a testament to Cruz’s shot-making ability.
Lleyton, who at 44 returned from retirement to compete alongside his son, commented on the experience, emphasizing the joy and memories created through their shared passion for tennis. Despite being a seasoned player, Lleyton acknowledged Cruz’s superior movement on the court, humorously noting that he now finds himself relying on his son to cover a significant portion of the territory during matches. The pair reached the quarter-finals of the tournament before bowing out to Callum Puttergill and Dane Sweeny.
As Cruz continues to develop his game, he is focused on preparing for the junior boys’ title at the upcoming Australian Open in January, where he looks to improve upon his performance from the previous year, where he exited in the second round against top seed Jan Kumstat. Meanwhile, Lleyton expressed excitement about the current men’s singles landscape, particularly highlighting the anticipated matchups between rising stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. With Alcaraz aiming for a career Grand Slam, the upcoming tournament promises to be thrilling for fans and players alike.
