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London: “I think it might be Lleyton Hewitt’s son.”
Rumors about Cruise Hewitt are growing louder, as are the crowds and requests for selfies at Australia’s rising star’s matches this Wimbledon. In a country desperate to see who will be next in line for Alex de Minaur, it appears Hewitt is the answer.
Cruise Hewitt is making a big impression at Wimbledon this week.Getty Images
The flamboyant 17-year-old has spent the year learning the ropes of the men’s tournament at the lower levels but has returned to Wimbledon for what is likely to be his final junior tournament with “unfinished business” as he said in that cap..
Simply put, Hewitt wants to win the boys’ singles title after already winning the exhibition warm-up event on grass at Hurlingham.
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He expressed his ambitions by eliminating tournament No. 2 seed Jamie McKenzie, a New Zealand-born German, in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 on Wednesday on a rowdy Court 12 in just over an hour.
It was Hewitt’s third win in four days, including back-to-back victories over seeded opponents, and he reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals, 24 years after his former world No. 1 father won the men’s championship.
There was no punching at the moment of the match – his head instantly turned towards his parents, Lleyton and Beck, and coach, ex-Davis Cup representative Wayne Arthurs. His smile said it all.
“I thought I played a pretty good match and I felt like I did the right thing, so it was nice to get the win,” Hewitt said. “I was very happy to reach the quarter-finals and happy that I will be able to play another match in this tournament.”
Afterwards, he signed autographs and posed for photographs for several minutes.
A day earlier, after Hewitt’s second-round win over 14th-seeded Frenchman Mathis Domenc, security tried to usher Hewitt through the narrow passage between courts seven and eight, but too many fans lined up wanting to mingle.
Fans on court included Roger Federer’s twin daughters, Myla and Charlene, and one of their brothers, who ate chocolate ice cream and cheered Hewitt on.
This kind of attention isn’t normal for a junior, but Hewitt, the No. 2-ranked 17-year-old on the planet, is not your average junior, either by name or, more so, by what he brings to the table.
“The Aussies in the crowd were really good – there were a few ‘Aussies, Aussies, Aussies’ today – and that definitely helps and gives me energy,” he said.
“I perform better in those situations on the court, and then I show my gratitude to those who cheered for me and hopefully helped me get over the line.”
Cruise Hewitt with Maila and Charlene Federer at this year’s Australian Open. They supported him at Wimbledon.Getty Images
Hewitt remains coy in his answers about his father, a two-time Grand Slam champion who was the youngest ATP No. 1 until Carlos Alcaraz.
These genetics and these relationships provided him with opportunities that other children did not have, including access to the Australian Davis Cup team and the best players in the world. At last year’s Australian Open, Hewitt’s attacking partners included de Minaur, Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz and Nick Kyrgios.
But Hewitt wants to be known about more than just who his father is, even if those questions will haunt him throughout his career.
Hewitt Snr was a little late to watch his son’s match on Wednesday as he completed his doubles win with Italy’s Fabio Fognini.
Lleyton and Bec Hewitt were on hand to look after their son, who is trained by Wayne Arthurs (far right).Getty Images
But Lleyton responded with an unmistakable “Yeah, mate” as Cruz unleashed a forehand winner to earn triple match point against McKenzie.
“I warm up to him every day, so he helps me a lot,” Hewitt said of his father. “And then obviously him being on the sidelines just helped me support me and be there for me. I’m grateful to have him in my corner.”
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Another takeaway from Hewitt’s interview for this title was that he feels like he’s matured.
There will be more stressful moments ahead, but in a small sample this week the evidence is positive.
Hewitt has had fiery verbal exchanges with his father in past matches but has remained extremely composed despite limited difficulties in three matches this week. There are no clearances in juniors, but Hewitt apologized every time the power cord came out in his favor despite the rules.
“I feel like everyone, when they get older, eventually has to (grow up),” he said.
He’s also no stranger to the court game, which complements his rocket serve and killer forehand.
Hewitt saved a break point against McKenzie in the first game with measured but confident play, and then saved another two games later with a sharp ace wide of the net, one of eight he scored without a double fault.
Then at 15-40 at 2-3 in the second set, Hewitt raised a cloud of dust with another ace.
He saved his biggest celebration until the next one when a powerful inside-out forehand sent McKenzie reeling. Soon it was up to the Australian.
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At almost 190 centimeters tall, Hewitt is the modern prototype of a professional tennis player and has the necessary weapons. It also has one more important ingredient.
“I think I handle the big moments pretty well. I always believe in myself,” Hewitt said. “If I fall, if I get up, it’s the same attitude, the same mentality, and obviously I’ll do my best. We’ll see (what happens).”
Mark McGowan traveled to London with the support of Tennis Australia.
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