Former world No. 1 tennis player Lleyton Hewitt marked an impressive comeback to the sport after a hiatus of almost six years by joining forces with his 16-year-old son, Cruz, for a remarkable win. The father-son duo dominated their opponents, Hayden Jones and Pavle Marinkov, with a commanding 6-1, 6-0 victory in just under an hour.
Securing a wildcard entry into the main draw of the NSW Open, a Challenger tournament held in Sydney, the Hewitt pair demonstrated their prowess on the court. With Lleyton sporting his signature backward cap, they successfully defended all four break points, swiftly advancing to the quarter-finals.
Lleyton Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam titleholder, concluded his singles career in 2016 but continued playing doubles until the 2020 Australian Open. Despite the long break, the 44-year-old showed no signs of rustiness during the match, displaying a comfortable performance at the Ken Rosewall Arena and sealing the win with a well-placed net shot.
Since stepping away from professional play, Hewitt has stayed active in the tennis realm as the captain of Australia’s Davis Cup team, actively supporting his son, Cruz, as he forges his own path in the sport. Cruz, a rising talent, has already competed in junior Grand Slam events and is making a name for himself in the Challenger circuit.
Earlier this year, Cruz participated in the Wimbledon boys’ singles competition, where he encountered a minor disagreement with his father while playing. Despite a strong start with a win in the opening match, the teenager faced a defeat in the second round against Oskari Paldanius.
Reports from the Daily Mail indicate that Cruz Hewitt, currently ranked 759th in the world, expressed frustration with his father’s coaching style during a match, highlighting moments of tension on the court. Despite setbacks, Cruz has shown progress at the Challenger level, securing notable victories and steadily climbing the rankings.
With a recent triumph at the Challenger level in Brisbane against James McCabe and a competitive performance against Wu Tung-lin, Cruz is on an upward trajectory in his career. His success includes another win in Brisbane before exiting in the second round, showcasing his potential in the singles category.
Currently positioned at a career-high ranking of 759th, Cruz Hewitt faced mixed results in recent matches but displayed resilience and determination on the court. Alongside his father, they advanced to the quarter-finals in the doubles event and are gearing up to take on another Australian duo, Calum Puttergill and Dane Sweeny, in their upcoming match.