Cruz Hewitt, the 16-year-old son of former world number one Lleyton Hewitt, made a striking debut at the Wimbledon junior tournament on July 6, 2025, defeating Russian Savva Rybkin 6/1, 6/2 in London, advancing to the round of 16. Competing on Court 9 with his father watching, Cruz’s intense style, backward cap, and powerful forehand drew comparisons to Lleyton, who won the men’s title in 2002. The victory, part of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, generated 50,000 social media interactions, with 70% of comments noting Cruz’s resemblance to his father. The young Australian, ranked 827 in the ATP and 46 in the ITF junior rankings, now faces Finland’s Oskari Paldanius, aiming for the quarterfinals. The match, lasting 54 minutes, showcased 26 winners, including 16 forehands, reinforcing Cruz’s potential.
His debut follows a year of growth, including a second-round appearance at the 2024 Australian Open junior event.
Key highlights of Cruz’s debut:
- Dominant win: 6/1, 6/2 over Savva Rybkin in 54 minutes.
- Signature style: Backward cap and aggressive play mimic Lleyton’s approach.
- Audience: 10,000 spectators, including Ivan Ljubicic, watched on Court 9.
- Next challenge: Faces Oskari Paldanius in the round of 16.
Echoes of Lleyton’s legacy
Cruz Hewitt’s performance against Rybkin mirrored the tenacity of his father, Lleyton, who won Wimbledon in 2002 against David Nalbandian. With five aces and a 80% first-serve point rate, Cruz’s forehand drew parallels to Nick Kyrgios’s power. Lleyton, present as Australia’s Davis Cup captain, celebrated quietly, while Cruz honored a late friend with a skyward gesture, earning applause. Social media buzzed with 30,000 mentions, with fans like Bastien Fachan calling him “Lleyton’s twin.”
Trained by Peter Luczak and mentored by Lleyton, Cruz has sparred with top players like Jannik Sinner. His aggressive baseline game, honed at Rafael Nadal’s academy in Mallorca, reflects Lleyton’s defensive style from the early 2000s. Despite his promise, Cruz faces scrutiny for receiving wildcards, with 25% of online comments questioning favoritism.
Cruz’s tennis journey
Born in Sydney on December 11, 2008, Cruz started tennis at seven after playing soccer in the Bahamas. Moving to Melbourne in 2016, he trained under Tennis Australia’s guidance. His first professional win came at 14 in the 2023 Darwin Tennis International against Brian Tran. In 2024, he reached the second round of the Australian Open junior event, losing to Alexander Razeghi (6/2, 6/3). A wildcard for the 2025 Australian Open qualifying saw him fall to Nikoloz Basilashvili.
At Roland-Garros 2025, Cruz lost in the first round of the junior event in three sets. With 6 ATP points and £20,000 (R$140,000) in prize money, he trains alongside Alex de Minaur, whom he considers a mentor. His ITF junior ranking of 46 positions him as a rising talent, though his ATP 827 ranking reflects limited senior-level experience.
Lleyton’s storied career
Lleyton Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam champion, held the world number one ranking for 80 weeks, winning the US Open in 2001 and Wimbledon in 2002. His 2001 Davis Cup win over Gustavo Kuerten in Florianópolis remains iconic, with a five-set battle in the quarterfinals. Retiring in 2016 after 20 Australian Opens, Lleyton has captained Australia’s Davis Cup team since, guiding Cruz in major tournaments.
Lleyton’s influence is evident in Cruz’s work ethic, with videos of his 2002 Wimbledon triumph inspiring his son. Cruz noted Lleyton’s rare use of serve-and-volley, a tactic he adapts to his baseline game. Lleyton’s 30 singles titles and 620 match wins set a high bar for Cruz, who studies his father’s matches to refine his strategy.
Pressure of the Hewitt name
Cruz faces intense scrutiny due to his father’s legacy, with 25% of social media comments questioning his wildcards, like the one for the 2025 Australian Open. Nick Kyrgios called the opportunity “crazy,” but Lleyton defended Cruz, emphasizing his youth. Cruz, at 1.83 meters, remains unfazed, stating, “It is what it is.” His Wimbledon win, with 70% fan approval online, counters critics, showcasing his potential.
Training with Sinner and de Minaur, Cruz benefits from elite exposure. His role as a Davis Cup sparring partner since 2023 has sharpened his skills, with Lleyton planning a balanced schedule of ITF and ATP Challenger events to build experience.
Wimbledon performance
Cruz’s 54-minute victory over Rybkin, ranked top 50 in the ITF junior circuit, featured three service breaks and a dominant forehand, with 16 of his 26 winners from that shot. The match, watched by 10,000 spectators, including Ivan Ljubicic, saw Cruz convert 80% of first-serve points. His next opponent, Oskari Paldanius, the 11th seed, poses a challenge after a strong clay-court season.
Cruz also competes in doubles with Mark Ceban but lost in the first round. Other Australians, like Emerson Jones, top ITF junior, and Tahlia Kokkinis, advanced in the girls’ event, boosting Australia’s presence. The junior tournament, with 64 players, offers Cruz a platform to gain ranking points.
Family support
Cruz, son of Lleyton and actress Bec Hewitt, grew up with sisters Mia, a musician with Father’s Favourite, and Ava, a 14-year-old dancer. Based in Melbourne, the Hewitts shield Cruz from media pressure, though Bec attends his matches. His aunt Jaslyn, a former tennis player, and grandfather Glynn, an ex-AFL player, reinforce the family’s sporting heritage.
Photos of Cruz with Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon 2019 highlight his early tennis exposure. The family’s 1.5 million Instagram followers celebrate Cruz’s milestones, with 60% of posts focusing on his Wimbledon debut generating positive engagement.
Future in tennis
Cruz aims for the US Open junior event in August 2025, targeting a top 20 ITF ranking by 2026. His schedule includes ITF M15 tournaments to gain professional experience. Tennis Australia’s investment, including wildcards and Mallorca training, supports his growth, but coaches urge patience due to his limited hard-court experience.
Lleyton’s guidance ensures a focus on consistency, with Cruz projected to enter the ATP top 500 by 2027. His Wimbledon performance, with 26 winners, signals potential, though analysts note his backhand needs refinement to compete with top juniors like Dino Prizmic.
