Cruz Hewitt, the son of former Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt, made a notable debut in the boys’ singles event at Wimbledon on Sunday, echoing his father’s success 23 years earlier when Lleyton secured the men’s singles title. The 16-year-old showcased his skills by defeating Russian player Savva Rybkin decisively, with a score of 6-1, 6-2, whilst donning his father’s signature backwards cap.
Commentators were quick to draw parallels between Cruz and his dad, with one describing him as “a carbon copy” of Lleyton in terms of appearance, style, and attitude, all thanks to the similar gear including a Yonex racket and Nike polo. As Cruz celebrated a pivotal point on the court, his father’s pride was evident as Lleyton cheered from the sidelines.
Cruz’s impressive start at Wimbledon has sparked discussions about his potential to achieve similar heights as his father, who famously triumphed over David Nalbandian in straight sets during the 2002 Wimbledon final. Interestingly, Cruz was born six years after that iconic match.
Next, Cruz is set to face Finnish 11th seed Oskari Paldanius in the second round. This Wimbledon appearance follows his debut at the Australian Open earlier this year, where he won his first match in the juniors before being edged out in the second round by the top seed. Although he received a wildcard for the men’s singles qualifying, he did not advance beyond the initial stage. Additionally, he participated in the boys’ doubles at Wimbledon alongside British partner Mark Ceban but faced a first-round exit.
Cruz’s burgeoning career continues to draw attention as he navigates the junior circuit, with fans and analysts keenly watching his progression.