Lleyton Hewitt’s name is on top of the highlights amid the Australian Open 2024. Although the tennis star is not a participant in the event, his mentorship for compatriot Alex De Minaur got his name into the limelight. While it might be confusing to connect the dots between Hewitt and any other player besides De Minaur, a special link recently entered the game.
The Davis Cup captain’s role in the event is not limited to just the 24-year-old now. As the tennis star’s son Cruz Hewitt made his debut at the AO juniors, he is currently on double duty in the event.
Lleyton Hewitt shares his mentorship with a special connection besides Alex De Minaur
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The crowd in Melbourne is witnessing a special kind of tennis magic as the former World No. 1 and two-time grand slam winner Lleyton Hewitt is playing not just one, but two significant roles. Besides being a major support behind Alex De Minaur, Hewitt is now cherishing a new opportunity as his 15-year-old son, Cruz Hewitt, made his debut in the Junior Boys tournament.
15yo Cruz Hewitt out in Juniors R1 to one of the top seeds.
Interestingly, his best shot at this level is actually his first serve. Technique similar to Kyrgios'. pic.twitter.com/a3SuUR42kr
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 21, 2024
Cruz, stepping in with his father’s trademark backward cap and the same enthusiasm levels, presented glimpses of his potential, even though he faced a welcoming challenge in the form of sixth seed Alexander Razeghi. This amazing showdown of familial connection added an extra layer of excitement to the tournament and another crucial role to handle for the former world no.1.
Lleyton Hewitt’s double shift as both mentor and proud parent emphasized the unique blend of family and professional expertise during this Australian Open. As tennis fans wait for moments to spot the Aussie more often, they now have another reason to do so.
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A strong but unlucky start for young Hewitt
While it was a great surprise for the fans to see Cruz Hewitt stepping into the major event, the beginning didn’t turn out to be as expected. As the ‘son of a gun’ had to face a strong opponent in his debut match, he somehow failed to turn the tables to his side.
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The world no.1, as he graced the arena with his presence, walked in as a veteran as well as a proud dad. “Just unbelievably proud, to be honest,” he said before the match started. While the 16-year-old faced a disappointing 6-2, 6-3 defeat, his match against Alexander Razeghi was surely a good exposure to the competitive levels. As the young Hewitt is already in the game, his fate still remains to be witnessed.