Young Hewitt beats dad’s Wimbledon record
Cruz Hewitt has raced into the quarter-finals of the boys’ singles at Wimbledon – surpassing dad Lleyton’s best finish in the junior event.
Source: X/AANG2025
Seventeen-year-old Cruz Hewitt is keeping the Australian flag flying at Wimbledon after a straight-sets win over ninth seed Dimitar Kisimov saw him claim a spot in the juniors semi-finals.
The son of Davis Cup captain and 2002 Wimbledon champion Lleyton, Hewitt beat his Bulgarian opponent 6-1, 6-2 in less than an hour, with his parents cheering him on at the All England Club.
He blasted down 10 aces and cracked 22 winners in the game, which comes after an impressive run during which he hasn’t dropped a single set in four matches.
“I played a very good match today, very focussed, very level-headed… I’m very happy to make the semis,” he told Stan Sport.
A day earlier, Hewitt – who is No 606 in the ATP rankings – triumphed over second seed Jamie Mackenzie 6-3 6-4 in just 69 minutes in the blazing sunshine to become the first Australian to get so far in the boys’ event since Alex de Minaur a decade ago.
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He credited his mentality and increasing maturity on the court with helping his performance – assets he will need to draw on for his semi-final match against 18-year-old Dutch player Thijs Boogaard.
“I think I’m taking one step at a time pretty well and that’s what I’ll continue to do,” Hewitt said after his quarter-final match, admitting he did have some nerves.
“A little nervous, but it’s more excitement I feel. I’m excited to get out there tomorrow and play.
“You know playing for a spot in the final at Wimbledon is pretty special so I’m gonna leave it all out there, of course.”
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Hewitt admitted he was “a little happy” about already surpassing Lleyton’s best finish in the junior event – he reached a last-16 place back in 1997.
“It’s incredible because I still remember when I was little, hitting on these courts, coming watch my dad play, and especially he’s playing here as well, and then all my family here too, so it’s definitely nice to do it here.”
Lleyton Hewitt is regularly courtside to watch his son, just like here at Melbourne Park last year. Photo: AAP
Lleyton Hewitt is playing in the the invitational doubles event for former stars, and his son said earlier that having him on hand to help was working to his benefit.
“I’ve warmed up with him every day, so he helps me a lot,” Cruz said.
“Obviously, having him on the sidelines has helped, just to support me being there. I’m grateful for him in my corner.”
Lleyton played alongside Italian Fabio Fognini on No.2 Court on Wednesday, while Cruz was playing his match. He was courtside throughout his son’s win in the previous round.
Inevitably, there’s a lot of interest in the ex-champion’s son around the grounds of the All England Club, and Cruz reckoned he really enjoyed all the interaction.
“The Australian people in the crowd have just been really good. I got a few ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussies!’ today, and that definitely helps, gets my energy up. I perform better in those type of situations on the court,” he said.
“I showed my appreciation to those who were cheering for me and basically helping me get over the line. I appreciate everyone who does that.”
-with AAP
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