Cruz hewitt roger federer biography

Australian tennis coach and former tennis player (born 1981)

Lleyton Glynn HewittAM (born 24 February 1981) is an Australian former professional tennis player. He was ranked as the world No. 1 in men's singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for 80 weeks, including as the year-end No. 1 in 2001 and 2002. Hewitt won 30 singles titles and 3 doubles titles on the ATP Tour, including two singles majors at the 2001 US Open and 2002 Wimbledon Championships, a doubles major at the 2000 US Open, the 2001 and 2002 Tennis Masters Cups in singles, and led Australia to Davis Cup crowns in 1999 and 2003. In November 2001,

Cruz Hewitt just lost his opening match of the summer-proper – though it was a remarkable fixture, between the sons of two former tennis world No.1s.

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Hewitt, the 16-year-old son of ex-men’s world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt, was beaten 7-6 (11-9) 6-1 in the first round of qualifying at the Canberra International challenger event by Brandon Holt, a 26-year-old American who is the son of former women’s No.1 Tracey Austin.

Apart from the decade-long age gap, Hewitt was giving away more than 1000 ranking spots against Holt; they are No.1264 and No.198 respectively.

Hewitt led the first set 5-2 and held set points in the tiebreaker, only for Holt to grind through before running away with the second set.

The Aussie won some admiration along the way, though the consensus was that his powerful yet inconsistent forehand let him down.

Here are the thoughts of some observing tennis journalists.

Hewitt’s serve is rated his big weapon thus far, partly thanks to his height. He already towers over his famous father (178cm), who won the US Open and Wimbledon during a glittering career built on ruthless consistency and cunning, and legendary tenacity.

Cruz Hewitt has been given a wildcard into Australian Open qualifying for 2025, as his father was at age 15 back in 1997. Lleyton became the youngest qualifier in Open history, before losing to dual Roland Garros champion Sergi Bruguera in the first round.

Hewitt Junior has been given wildcard entry to his past seven tournaments.

CRUZ’S STORY SO FAR

Cruz literally grew up around tennis, hitting with his dad on Rod Laver Arena and getting access to Davis Cup camps.

He hit with Swiss icon Roger Federer at age six, before Lleyton played the 20-time grand slam winner on centre cou

Court three at Melbourne Park transformed into a time machine at the Australian Open, turning the clock back 20 years as the son of Lleyton Hewitt achieved a huge milestone in the infancy of his own tennis career.

Hewitt senior was the darling of Melbourne Park in 2005, falling agonisingly short of becoming the first Aussie male to win their home grand slam since Mark Edmondson in 1976.

Now the crowd has a new Hewitt to get behind, with the son of Lleyton and actor Bec Hewitt recording his first-ever Australian Open win at Melbourne Park on Saturday, with his proud parents courtside to support him.

Cruz's performance has drawn comparisons to his father's illustrious career. 

Lleyton, the youngest ATP world No. 1 at age 20, is remembered for his grit and 30 career titles, including two Grand Slam wins. 

Watching his son display similar fight and passion was a proud moment for the tennis icon.

Cruz defeated South Korean qualifier MooBeen Kim, securing his maiden Australian Open win as Lleyton, Bec and grandmother Cherilyn Hewitt cheered him on. 

His debut win in the junior boys' singles showcased his potential to follow in his father's legendary footsteps. 

While his run ended against the No. 1 seed on Monday night, the teenager showed he belongs at this level - winning the crowd over in the process.

Facing Czech player Jan Kumstat, last year's runner-up, Cruz battled hard in front of a fired up crowd. 

Dressed in his signature all-yellow outfit, boasting the trademark Hewitt Yonex racquet and a white backward cap, a nod to his father's style, Cruz fired two forehand winners in the tie-break, thrilling the packed house.

His fist-pumping roar of 'C'mon!' was met with loud cheers, reminiscent of Lleyton

Article18 Jan 2025

When he clinched the match courtesy of a missed service return from Moobeen Kim, Cruz Hewitt - son of Lleyton - looked towards the players' box from where the Hewitt clan watched the 16-year-old claim his maiden Grand Slam win. 

He is getting used to Court 3, is Cruz, the arena where he made his boys' debut 12 months ago and where he played in the main draw qualifiers last week. He now has a victory at the 2025 Australian Open Junior Championships and much merited it was.

Indeed such was his joy that we heard a trademark family ‘C’mon’ from Cruz then a clenched fist and a slight reluctance to leave the court which he did only after standing on his toes and signing a good few caps thrust down by fans from the stand above.

It had begun at 8.20pm and lasted just 74 minutes, 6-3 6-3 the win over the South Korean qualifier, a fighter making his debut at a Slam. It was never really in doubt. 

Hewitt, who is ranked No. 60 in the ITF World Tennis Tour boys' rankings, has played just one main draw Junior Grand Slam match anywhere, when he lost in round one a year ago in Melbourne. He played the main draw qualifiers here 10 days ago but, other than that, his last tournament was a J100 in Christchurch, New Zealand, last October, one of three he won in 2024.

Kim is a year older and ranked 12 places lower and this was his Grand Slam debut. There were about 3,000 fans backing his opponent and while he lost, he will be stronger for the experience.

Court No. 14, meanwhile, is about 200 metres from Court No. 3 and pretty much the furthest playing surface from the the Melbourne Park locker rooms. And on a hot and heaving day, it can take some time to even get out there.

Early on Saturday, Switzerland’s Henry Bernet and Luis Guto Miguel from Brazil had the added complication of waiting for a girls’ blockbuster to finish before wading out to the sticks.