Cruz Hewitt takes major step in replicating famous father Lleyton claiming first professional trophy

Cruz Hewitt has taken a massive step in replicating his famous father Lleyton with a rare feat as a 16-year-old on the professional tennis circuit.

Cruz Hewitt has claimed his first trophy as a professional tennis player after finishing runner-up at the ITF M25 Launceston tournament.

The 16-year-old son of Australian tennis legend Lleyton – who was the same age when he won his first pro title – has gone from strength to strength since the Australian Open earlier this year and on Sunday fell just short of his maiden professional tournament win,

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After registering his first win at Melbourne Park in January, Cruz has continued to improve in leaps and bounds.

And this week he reeled off six straight wins to reach the third-tier final as a qualifier.

However, in the final veteran Jason Kubler proved a task too big for the promising teen, going down 2-6 4-6.

Cruz and Lleyton Hewitt after the Launceston International final. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

The win made it two titles in two weeks for Kubler after he triumphed at M25 Burnie last Sunday.

While Hewitt, who was knocked out in the first round to world No. 557 Takuya Kumasaka in Burnie, bounced back in a big way in Launceston as he picked up a priceless piece of silverware with father Lleyton watching on in the crowd.

“It was a great week,” Hewitt said after finishing runner-up in Launceston.

“Thanks for all the support this week, I really appreciate it. It got me through a lot of tough matches. And congrats to Kubler, back-to-back in Tassie. A good few weeks for him, and I’m really pleased with the tennis I’m playing now.

Cruz Hewitt in action at the Launceston International. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

“Every match (I) try to learn something, try and learn from mistakes and keep getting better every day.”

Hewitt junior showed more signs that he could be on a similar trajectory to Lleyton after a memorable week.

He came back from a set down on three separate occasions earlier in the ITF event to make the final, before Kubler’s quality and experience proved too much.

Cruz’s current World No. 1176 is set to skyrocket when the rankings update, with more appearances on the professional ITF circuit looming.

Originally published as Cruz Hewitt takes major step in replicating famous father Lleyton claiming first professional trophy