July 13, 2026 – 0:34
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London: Cruise Hewitt will have to wait a little longer to join his father as Wimbledon champion.
The 17-year-old rising star, who has grown up on Australia’s watch since he was a child following Lleyton in his final days as a player, suffered an agonizing defeat in the men’s singles final on Sunday, losing 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 to American qualifier Jordan Lee.
Cruise Hewitt’s frustration was evident late in the match.Getty Images
Hewitt eliminated four seeded opponents in succession en route to the final and had a break point to go up 4-1 in the decider on Court 1 at Wimbledon but could not deny his impressive 16-year-old opponent.
He hasn’t dropped a set in his five wins this week as he bids to become Australia’s first junior Grand Slam champion since Luke Saville in 2011. That same year, Ash Barty won the girls’ title.
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Instead, Hewitt had to settle for second place, as Alex de Minaur did in 2016.
“It was a special week for me. I think I played good tennis,” Hewitt said.
“I was happy with my level and to reach the final and play on this beautiful court was surreal. Obviously, I grew up watching this tournament, watching my dad play, and it was a great honor to play on any court here.”
Hewitt, ranked 606th on the men’s tour, said earlier in the week that he hopes to be in the top 300 by the end of the year.
From here he will discuss with his team what his tournament schedule looks like, but one goal is to do enough in the coming months to potentially win the Australian Open main draw wildcard in January.
“That would be my dream and that’s my big goal,” Hewitt said. “I feel like I showed my level.”
Cruise Hewitt’s father, former world number one Lleyton, knew when he was needed, but it wasn’t enough.Getty Images
Young players, even in the final, don’t usually come close to filling a stadium that seats more than 12,000, but there is nothing typical about a teenager in Hewitt’s situation, whose father won two men’s Grand Slam titles and was the youngest world number one until Carlos Alcaraz broke that record.
It is understood that Hewitt showed more nerves and emotion than in his previous matches, including tripping while attempting to serve for the first set at 5-2. This coincided with Lee increasing his level significantly.
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Hewitt’s dad mostly looked relaxed in his son’s playroom with former Davis Cup player and assistant Jamon Crabb, coach Wayne Arthurs, mom Beck, sister Ava, agent Jedd Setzer and Davis Cup team manager Catherine Oyeniyi.
But Lleyton knew when he was needed. Serving a second time, Hewitt made it 40-15 – and Lleyton jumped out of his chair to cheer his son on.
A point later he was back up, fist pumping like in his heyday, as Hewitt secured a one-set lead.
The second set began the same way the latter stages of the first had ended, with Lee increasingly winning his share or most of the points. The American had a different look to Hewitt, moving back to cushion the serve that took him into the final.
There was some drama in the second game of the second set when Hewitt, facing a break point, desperately chased the ball but failed to make it in time.
The review requested by Hewitt confirmed the double refusal.
Hewitt played three sets for the first time this week.Getty Images
The young Australian regained the lead but gave up the ball again on a double fault. Lee also had back-to-back set points on Hewitt’s serve at 3-5, but the son of a bitch managed to get out of trouble. Then it was Lee’s turn to show some weakness, making several mistakes and failing to complete the task.
Twice Hewitt scored points at five-all, but Lee, after a thrilling exchange on the baseline, won a superb backhand to claim a fourth set point.
Hewitt subsequently faltered, but only after one of Lee’s shots barely hit the back of the line.
Losing a set presented a new challenge that Hewitt failed to overcome this week. His answer was impeccable and was another illustration of how far he had come. Lee trailed 0-40, then fended off one break point before the Australian hit a stunning backhand down the line that never returned.
Jordan Lee won.Getty Images
Both Arthurs and Lleyton instantly jumped to their feet to convey instructions to Hewitt at that moment.
Hewitt almost snatched a safety break at 3-1, but Lee struggled to hold on and stay in touch, which soon became critical.
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A lucky line in the eighth went to Lee’s advantage and pinned Hewitt, who was unable to return the ball over the net. After a break point, Hewitt hit a backhand into the net to make the final set four-all.
The tension suddenly rose and Hewitt made his move again, upping the ante with a cross forehand to break the American and create a break point of his own. But Lee slipped away again to take the lead for the first time in the final set.
They traded serves before Hewitt’s fluke backhand at 5-6 spelled the beginning of the end. A double fault followed – his uncharacteristic ninth mistake – and Hewitt turned to his father for advice. But he was soon down 0-40 and then watched as Lee hit a brilliant backhand to take the title.
Mark McGowan traveled to London with the support of Tennis Australia.
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