Cruz Hewitt aims to rebound at Wimbledon, putting behind him the disappointment of narrowly missing out on following in his father’s illustrious footsteps, 24 years after Lleyton secured the men’s title.
While his father cheered him on from the players’ box on No 1 Court, the 17-year-old from Sydney faced heartbreak in the boys’ final on Sunday. Hewitt held a lead of 4-2 in the final set against rising American star Jordan Lee but ultimately fell short.
Initially, it seemed Hewitt was on track to become Australia’s first junior men’s champion in 15 years since Luke Saville. However, the 16-year-old Lee, the youngest competitor in the tournament, mounted a remarkable comeback after losing the first set, winning 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.
Following the two-hour and three-minute match, Hewitt’s disappointment was evident. His parents, Lleyton and Bec, along with his coaching team led by Wayne Arthurs, reassured him of the incredible tournament he had just experienced, where he hadn’t dropped a single set until the final.
Demonstrating remarkable composure, Hewitt acknowledged that this match might mark the end of his junior career. He intends to focus on transitioning to the senior professional circuit and aspires to compete in the senior draws at both Wimbledon and the Australian Open.
“Yeah, that would definitely be one of one of my big goals long-term,” he expressed when asked about returning to Wimbledon, the tournament his father won in 2002. “I’d have to get my ranking up a little bit, but with a whole lot of hard work, it’s possible. I look forward to definitely coming back in the future for the men’s.”
Both Hewitt and Lee showcased their potential as future stars during their intense matchup. However, in the decisive moments, Lee proved to be more resilient, capitalizing on a double fault from Hewitt that allowed him to break serve and secure the title.
Hewitt’s experience mirrored that of the last Australian boy to reach the final, Alex de Minaur, who lost in 2016 but has since risen to become one of the world’s top six players.
Throughout the week, de Minaur had been training with Hewitt, while another promising talent, semi-finalist Arthur Fery, also practiced alongside him. After the match, Hewitt reflected on the positive experiences he gained during the tournament.
“It’s been a very special week for me, I’ve played some really good tennis,” he shared with the audience. “I grew up around this tournament, seeing my dad play here and it’s a privilege playing on any court here. It’s been a really good atmosphere all week. “I feel like people this week maybe have seen how well I can play. Obviously, it’s disappointing to lose the final, but I think it’s a really good week.“Definitely had some good memories at Wimbledon. I wish I could have won today’s match, but no it’s still a good memory, it’s been fun.”
“and that’s a big goal of mine – and I feel like I I can show my level.”
Currently ranked world No. 606, Hewitt’s standing is expected to improve following his display of an aggressive playing style, which ultimately fell short against Lee, who appears to have a bright future ahead.
Hewitt is hopeful that organizers of the Australian Open might offer him a wildcard next season, stating, “That would be the dream, and that’s a big goal of mine – and I feel like I can show my level.”
