Cruz Hewitt was nominated for the male junior player of the year award at the Australian Tennis Awards on Monday night but was pipped by 18-year-old Hayden Jones.

Cruz turns 16 on Wednesday, the same age his father was when he famously won his home-town Adelaide International – as a wildcard entrant ranked in the 500s in 1998.

The spotlight on Hewitt junior and his capabilities on the tennis court were inevitable ever since he started hanging around the country’s Davis Cup teams.

Comparisons can be onerous, but Hewitt senior knows there’s simply no other way.

“They’ve (comparisons) already been there since he picked up a racquet,” Lleyton said.

“He’s got to enjoy it as much as possible and make it fun.

“He’s doing great so far.

“It’s good that he gets to hang out with a lot of his idols as well – guys like Alex de Minaur who he can look up to and get to hit with. It’s pretty special.”

The most striking element about Cruz is his height. Already towering above his father and mother Bec Hewitt, the teen’s bushy blonde hair is a characteristic feature.

While two-time grand slam winner Lleyton Hewitt burst onto professional tennis and raced to become the then youngest world No.1 at 20, the sport has undoubtedly evolved since then. The intervening two decades have been the era of the Big Three, the period when Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal won nearly every men’s tennis major.

Many titles were won by those champions while they were aged in their 30s. Young guns like Carlos Alcaraz, a Spaniard gunning for a career grand slam at age 21 at next month’s Australian Open, have been the exception not the norm.

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Lleyton Hewitt is content with Cruz’s steady progression.

“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.

“He’s just got to enjoy it. It’s about stepping stones and always try and keep improving.

“There’s not too many Alcarazs you see these days who just come along [and are] so physically strong out there and able to compete with men at just a young age, especially in best of five sets.”

Cruz Hewitt takes the strong interest in his formative career in his stride. The attention has been there throughout his life, but was especially noticeable at Melbourne Park last January.

“It is what it is. But I don’t really mind,” the teen said on the blue carpet on Monday night, where the Newcombe Medal was shared by the country’s best player de Minaur and doubles champion and Olympic gold medallist Matt Ebden.

“It just drives me to be better.”

Cruz Hewitt was born in 2008, deep into his father’s professional career, giving him only fleeting chances to see first hand what his famous Dad was able to do against elite opponents. He’s had to rely on video highlights instead.

“I’ve seen a few of them, just some of the big matches,” Cruz said.

“I think we have a different game style.”

Asked which top players he admires, Cruz had no hesitation in naming Shelton and Thiem – one a rising left-handed American star with a ripping forehand, the other a recently retired stalwart who was good enough to win the US Open during the Djokovic-Federer-Nadal era.

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“l like to bring the energy,” Cruz says. “And (to) serve – I love hitting forehands as well.”

In his boys’ singles debut at Melbourne Park 11 months ago, Hewitt junior was disappointed to lose on a packed court three, but nonetheless the experience gave him a taste for more.

“The crowd was so good. The support was amazing,” said Hewitt, who achieved a personal-best junior ranking of world No.99 in October.

“I was a bit sad I didn’t get the win, but it was still a great experience, and I definitely learned a lot, so I’m excited to get back out there.”

As Australia’s Davis Cup captain and a fierce advocate for national representation, Lleyton Hewitt was quizzed on Monday night about the challenges of raising a budding star.

“The two toughest things are sitting courtside for Davis Cup, and watching Cruz play,” he replied to a question from host Todd Woodbridge.

“The two toughest things are sitting courtside for Davis Cup, and watching Cruz play. It’s a lot easier being out there playing five-set tennis. I don’t mind the pressure that comes with that.”

Lleyton Hewitt

“It’s a lot easier being out there playing five-set tennis. I don’t mind the pressure that comes with that.

“It’s a lot harder sitting on the side of the court and not being in control of absolutely everything.

“He’s had a fantastic start to his very long journey that awaits him.

“To be there as a support to him and trying to put the best team around him is [a] fantastic [thing for me].”

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