Cruz mode: Son of a tennis gun in the mix for Open qualifying wildcard

Cruz Hewitt could be thrown an Australian Open qualifying wildcard as Tennis Australia and the young gun’s team ponder the next step for the promising teenager.

A lanky right-hander who admires the games of American Ben Shelton and recently retired former US Open champion Dominic Thiem, Hewitt junior boasts a 30-10 record in International Tennis Federation junior competition this year.

The only son of former world No.1 and two-time major winner Lleyton Hewitt, Cruz Hewitt had his first significant exposure to Melbourne Park competition last January when he got a wildcard for the Australian Open junior boys’ event. But he exited with a loss to sixth-seeded American Alexander Razeghi 6-2, 6-3 before a packed crowd on court three.

The Hewitts: Lleyton, Bec and Cruz.Credit: Eddie Jim

A source with knowledge of Tennis Australia’s wildcard selection process confirmed Cruz was being considered for the qualifier event.

Lleyton Hewitt said his son was on track to play an ITF junior event in Traralgon next month and the Australian Open junior boys’ event.

“We’ll just see whatever other opportunities there are,” he said.

Tennis Australia will soon begin finalising the main draw and qualifying wildcards for the Open. Ten Australians have direct entry to the men’s singles, with Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson poised to be seeded. Nick Kyrgios gets a spot thanks to a protected ranking. Only one Australian woman, world No.96 Olivia Gadecki, has secured her entry to the women’s singles.

Hayden Jones, Emerson Jones and Cruz Hewitt arrive for the 2024 Newcombe Medal.Credit: Getty Images

There will be 16 men’s and women’s qualifying spots up for grabs.

Lleyton Hewitt in 1998.Credit: Vince Caligiuri

Cruz Hewitt was nominated for the male junior player of the year award at the Australian Tennis Awards on Monday night but was pipped by 18-year-old Hayden Jones.

Cruz turns 16 on Wednesday, the same age his father was when he famously won his home-town Adelaide International – as a wildcard entrant ranked in the 500s in 1998.

The spotlight on Hewitt junior and his capabilities on the tennis court were inevitable ever since he started hanging around the country’s Davis Cup teams.

Comparisons can be onerous, but Hewitt senior knows there’s simply no other way.

“They [comparisons] have already been there since he picked up a racquet,” Lleyton said.

“He’s got to enjoy it as much as possible and make it fun. He’s doing great so far.

“It’s good that he gets to hang out with a lot of his idols as well – guys like Alex de Minaur, who he can look up to and get to hit with. It’s pretty special.”

The most striking element about Cruz is his height. He already towers above his father and mother, Bec Hewitt. His bushy blond hair is another characteristic feature.

While two-time grand slam winner Lleyton Hewitt burst onto professional tennis and raced to become the then youngest world No.1 at 20, the sport has undoubtedly evolved since then. The intervening two decades have been the era of the big three, the period when Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal won nearly every men’s tennis major.

Many titles were won by those champions while they were in their 30s. Young guns such as Carlos Alcaraz, a Spaniard gunning for a career grand slam at age 21 at next month’s Australian Open, have been the exception, not the norm.

Lleyton Hewitt is content with Cruz’s steady progression.

“It’s getting harder and harder to jump onto the men’s tour at such a young age, and to make that transition,” he said.

“He’s just got to enjoy it. It’s about stepping stones and always try and keep improving.

“There’s not too many Alcarazes you see these days who just come along [and are] so physically strong out there and able to compete with men at just a young age, especially in best of five sets.”

Cruz Hewitt takes the strong interest in his formative career in his stride. The attention has been there throughout his life, but was especially noticeable at Melbourne Park last January.

“It is what it is. But I don’t really mind,” the teen said on the blue carpet on Monday night, where the Newcombe Medal was shared by the country’s best player, de Minaur, and doubles champion and Olympic gold medallist Matt Ebden.

“It just drives me to be better.”

Cruz Hewitt was born in 2008, deep into his father’s professional career, giving him only fleeting chances to see firsthand what his famous dad was able to do against elite opponents. He’s had to rely on video highlights instead.

“I’ve seen a few of them, just some of the big matches,” Cruz said. “I think we have a different game style.”

Asked which top players he admires, Cruz had no hesitation in naming Shelton and Thiem – one a rising left-handed American star with a ripping forehand, the other a recently retired stalwart who was good enough to win the US Open during the Djokovic-Federer-Nadal era.

“l like to bring the energy,” Cruz says. “And [to] serve – I love hitting forehands as well.”

In his boys’ singles debut at Melbourne Park 11 months ago, Hewitt junior was disappointed to lose on a packed court three, but nonetheless the experience gave him a taste for more.

“The crowd was so good. The support was amazing,” said Hewitt, who achieved a personal-best junior ranking of world No.99 in October.

“I was a bit sad I didn’t get the win, but it was still a great experience, and I definitely learnt a lot, so I’m excited to get back out there.”

As Australia’s Davis Cup captain and a fierce advocate for national representation, Lleyton Hewitt was quizzed on Monday night about the challenges of raising a budding star.

“The two toughest things are sitting courtside for Davis Cup, and watching Cruz play,” he replied to a question from host Todd Woodbridge.

“The two toughest things are sitting courtside for Davis Cup, and watching Cruz play. It’s a lot easier being out there playing five-set tennis. I don’t mind the pressure that comes with that.”

Lleyton Hewitt

“It’s a lot easier being out there playing five-set tennis. I don’t mind the pressure that comes with that.

“It’s a lot harder sitting on the side of the court and not being in control of absolutely everything.

“He’s had a fantastic start to his very long journey that awaits him. To be there as a support to him and trying to put the best team around him is [a] fantastic [thing for me].”

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