Cruz Hewitt claims maiden Aus Open win, drops ice cold celebration

Cruz Hewitt has claimed his first ever win at the Australian Open and sent a packed stadium into raptures with his celebration afterwards.

Dare to dream, Aussie tennis fans.

Cruz Hewitt has claimed his first ever win at the Australian Open in his first round of the junior boys’ singles.

Hewitt defeated South Korea’s Kim Moobeen 6-3 6-3 in front of a full house on Court 3 on Saturday night.

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Both Hewitt and Kim had 26 unforced errors each, but the Australian teenager was on top in virtually every other statistical category.

He fired five aces, with a top speed of 187km/h, nailed 14 winners and won three out of 10 break point opportunities.

With parents Bec and Lleyton and coach Peter Luczak watching on from his players box, Cruz delighted a packed crowd.

Wearing a yellow shirt and wielding a Yonex racquet, it’s hard not to compare Cruz to his old man, who made 20 consecutive appearances in the main draw from 1997.

Cruz Hewitt attracted a big crowd for his match against MooBeen Kim of South Korea. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Onya Cruz, come on. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

After winning the match, Cruz did the ‘hang up the phone’ celebration made famous by rising American talent Ben Shelton at the 2023 US Open.

Shelton was on board with the celebration, commenting some emojis of approval on Tennis Australia’s Instagram post.

Then playing up to the crowd as he walked to the net, Cruz did the open handed ‘come on’ gesture made famous by his dad during his legendary career.

Watch Cruz Hewitt’s celebration in the video above

Cruz spent time signing autographs after the victory as large groups of fans waited outside the court to try catch a glimpse of the 16-year-old.

If he continues his run into the second week of the grand slam, Cruz’s matches will become appointment viewing for Aussie tennis fans.

Next up is a tough assignment, he will take on Czech No. 1 seed Jan Kumstat in the round of 32 on Monday.

Australia has a strong history in the boys’ tournament in Melbourne Park. Nick Kyrgios was the most recent winner in 2013 when he defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis in the final.

Luke Saville won in 2012 and Bernard Tomic won as a 15-year-old in 2008 a year after Aussie Brydan Klein also won.

Cruz had been aiming to secure a spot in the Australian Open main draw, but he was eliminated 6-1 6-4 in 73 minutes by former world No. 16 Nikoloz Basilashvili.

Lleyton and Bec Hewitt watch sone Cruz in action. Photo: Mark Stewart

He could certainly hold his head high, but Lleyton was asked about backlash after the world No. 1264 — junior world No. 107 — was one of four Aussies to be given a wildcard into the qualifying draw alongside Bernard Tomic, Alex Bolt and Jason Kubler.

Cruz finished 2024 with a record of 30 wins and 10 losses, having won two ITF junior titles and claimed his first professional win in August.

His rank outside the top 100 juniors is a misleading one given the fact the majority of players ahead of him are older.

Cruz is 15th among players born in 2008 and has made huge strides in the last 18 months.

Suggestions Hewitt’s rise this summer has been the result of “nepotism” were shut down by Todd Woodbridge earlier in the Australian Open.

“What is interesting for Lleyton Hewitt, he’s been trying to say that for ages, but his son doesn’t listen to his father, right,” Woodbridge said sitting next to Lleyton on Channel 9.

“But I can say, Cruz is in these positions because he is a very good, talented young player and one of our best here in Australia.

“He deserves every opportunity he has got to be there. Some people would like to say otherwise. I know you have to deal with that and you shouldn’t have to, so I am putting it out there — he deserves to be there.”

Carlos Alcaraz of shakes hands with hitting partner Cruz Hewitt before a training session ahead of the Australian Open. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

The two-time grand slam champ was measured in his response.

“It’s a long journey,” he said when asked about his son’s big week.

“I was excited to watch him play. He had a tough draw playing Basilashvili, a former No. 16 and a guy who played finals at Indian Wells.

“For Cruz to be around these guys, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur — he is always around as well. Unbelievable role models for him to see how they prepare, taking the right steps leading into big matches, but such nice guys as well.”

He went on to say: “He is playing well at the moment and it makes me excited when I see him hit with some of these world-class players and the best guys going around and he can actually give them a good enough hit out there”.

— With Tyson Otto

Originally published as Cruz Hewitt claims maiden Aus Open win, drops ice cold celebration