Staggering family development made public during Lleyton Hewitt appearance at awards night

by Admin
December 9, 2024

Cruz Hewitt may have missed out on winning junior tennis player of the year at the Newcombe Medal on Monday night, but a photo with his famous parents shows his insane growth spurt over the last six years. And father Lleyton Hewitt reckons the 15-year-old isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Lleyton is one of Australia’s greatest tennis champions, and son Cruz is trying to follow in his father’s footsteps as his own career continues to flourish. But his appearance at the Newcombe Medal on Monday night shows how different he might be to Lleyton.

Cruz Hewitt now towers over parents Lleyton and Bec (L), while Matt Ebden (R) won the Newcombe Medal with Alex de Minaur. Image: Getty

While Lleyton is short in stature and used his footwork and speed around the court, Cruz is tall and lanky and has more of a power game. The comparisons to Lleyton are inevitable, but Cruz is taking it all in his stride.

“It is what it is. But I don’t really mind,” he said on Monday night. “It just drives me to be better. I’ve seen a few of [Lleyton’s highlights]. Just some of the big matches. I think we have a bit of a different game style.”

Junior player of the year nominees Hayden Jones, Emerson Jones and Cruz Hewitt at the Newcombe Medal ceremony. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images for Tennis Australia)

Lleyton said of the comparisons: “Oh, they’ve already been there – ever since he picked up a racquet. He’s just got to enjoy it as much as possible and make it fun. He’s been doing great so far.”

Cruz will turn 16 on Wednesday and already towers over famous parents Lleyton and Bec. “It’s hard to know how he’ll end up,” Lleyton admitted. “But he’s a good shot-maker. He’s got a little bit more firepower than probably I did, but, yeah, it’s a long journey, absolutely.”

Cruz Hewitt has had a staggering growth spurt in just six years. Image: Getty

Cruz Hewitt forging tennis career of his own

Cruz knows exactly how he wants to play, saying: “I like to bring the energy. And (to) serve – I love hitting forehands as well. I love Ben Shelton and I love (now-retired) Dominic Thiem.”

Cruz is currently ranked World No.107 on the junior circuit, but that was as high as No.99 in October. He won two ITF junior titles in 2024 and claimed his first professional win in August.

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The 15-year-old is hoping to go one better at the Australian Open in January after losing in the first round of the junior event in 2024. “The crowd was so good. The support was amazing,” he said. “I was a bit sad I didn’t get the win, but it was still a great experience, and definitely I learned a lot, so I’m excited to get back out there next year.”

Lleyton famously made his debut in the main draw of the Australian Open at age 16, but will keep stressing patience for Cruz as he attempts to transition to playing against grown men. “It’s getting harder and harder to jump onto the men’s tour at such a young age and to make that transition,” Lleyton said. “So he’s just got to enjoy it. And it’s stepping stones, it’s about always trying to keep improving.”

Elsewhere on Monday night, Alex de Minaur and Matt Ebden were named joint winners of the prestigious Newcombe Medal. De Minaur won his third Newcombe Medal after the best year of his career, in which he rose to World No.9 and made the ATP Finals. Ebden won the Australian Open doubles title, rose to World No.1 and claimed gold at the Paris Olympics with John Peers.