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London: “I think that might be Lleyton Hewitt’s son.”
The whispers about Cruz Hewitt are growing louder, as are the crowd numbers and selfie requests, at the Australian rising star’s matches this Wimbledon. In a country desperately waiting to see who is next in line behind Alex de Minaur, it looks increasingly like Hewitt is the answer.
The big-striking 17-year-old has spent this year learning the ropes on the lower tiers of the men’s tour, but has returned to Wimbledon for what is likely his final junior event on “unfinished business”, as he told this masthead.
Put plainly, Hewitt wants to win the boys’ singles title after already winning a warm-up exhibition grasscourt event at the Hurlingham Club.
He franked that ambition by eliminating the tournament’s No.2 seed, New Zealand-born German Jamie Mackenzie, on Wednesday in straight sets 6-3, 6-4, on a rowdy court 12 in barely an hour.
It was Hewitt’s third win in four days, including back-to-back victories over seeded opponents, and he is into the Wimbledon quarter-finals, 24 years after his former world No.1 father won the men’s championship.
There was no fist pump on match point – his head instantly swivelled in the direction of his parents, Lleyton and Bec, and coach, ex-Davis Cup representative Wayne Arthurs. His smile said it all.
“I think I played a pretty good match, and I feel like I did the right things, so it was good to get the win,” Hewitt said. “I was pretty happy to be in the quarter-finals, and happy that I get to play another match at this tournament.”
Afterwards, he spent several minutes signing autographs and posing for photographs.
A day earlier, after Hewitt’s second-round win over French 14th seed Mathys Domenc, security tried to usher Hewitt through the narrow passageway between courts seven and eight, but too many fans were lining up wanting an interaction.
Among the courtside fans were Roger Federer’s twin daughters, Myla and Charlene, plus one of their brothers, who bit into chocolate ice-creams as they actively cheered Hewitt on.
None of this attention is normal for a junior player, but Hewitt, the second-highest-ranked 17-year-old male on the planet, is not a normal junior player, by name and increasingly by what he is producing on the court.
“The Australian people in the crowd have been really good – there were a few ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussies’ today – and that definitely helps, and gets my energy up,” he said.
“I perform better in those types of situations on the court, and then after, I show my appreciation to who was cheering for me and hopefully, helping me get over the line.”
Hewitt remains guarded with his answers about his dad, a two-time grand slam champion who was the youngest-ever No.1 on the ATP Tour until Carlos Alcaraz.
Those genetics and that relationship have afforded him opportunities other kids have not had, including access to Australia’s Davis Cup team and the world’s best players. At last year’s Australian Open, Hewitt’s hitting partners included de Minaur, Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz and Nick Kyrgios.
But Hewitt wants to be known for more than who his dad is, even if those questions will follow him throughout his career.
Hewitt snr was slightly late to watch his son’s match on Wednesday because he was finishing an invitational doubles win alongside Italy’s Fabio Fognini.
But there was an unmistakeable “Yes, mate” from Lleyton as Cruz pounded an inside-out forehand winner to bring up triple match point against Mackenzie.
“I’ve warmed up with him every day, so he helps me a lot,” Hewitt said of his dad. “And then, obviously, having him on the sidelines has helped, just to support me and be there. I’m grateful for having him in my corner.”
Another insight from Hewitt’s interview with this masthead was that he feels he has matured.
There will be more stressful moments ahead, but in a small sample this week, the evidence is positive.
Hewitt has had fiery verbal exchanges with his dad in past matches, but has remained extremely composed through limited adversity in his three matches this week. There are no lets in juniors, but Hewitt has apologised each time a net cord went in his favour despite the rules.
“I feel like everyone, as they get older, has to eventually [mature],” he said.
There is a familiar on-court steel to him, too, that complements the rocket serve and killer forehand.
Hewitt staved off a break point against Mackenzie in the opening game with measured but assured play, then saved another two games later with a stinging ace out wide, one of eight he hit without a double fault.
Then from 15-40 at 2-3 in the second set, Hewitt brought up a puff of dust as he delivered another ace.
He saved his biggest celebration for after the next one, when a huge inside-out forehand left Mackenzie staggering. The point was soon the Australian’s.
At almost 190 centimetres, Hewitt is the modern prototype for a professional tennis player, and has the required weaponry. He also has another important ingredient.
“I think I handle the big moments pretty well. I always believe in myself,” Hewitt said. “If I’m down, if I’m up, it’s the same attitude, same mentality, and obviously, I’ll do my best. We’ll see [what happens].”
Marc McGowan travelled to London with Tennis Australia’s support.
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