Cruz Hewitt, the 16-year-old son of Australian tennis legends Lleyton and Bec Hewitt, has already made waves in the tennis world, despite not yet making his formal Australian Open debut. Known for his impressive height of 1.88m (6ft 2in), Cruz has grown past his father’s legendary stature, surpassing Lleyton, who is a former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion, both physically and in prominence on the Davis Cup stage.
Although Cruz is currently ranked outside the ATP top 1,200, with just six points compared to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner’s 11,830, he has generated significant buzz ahead of the Australian Open. This includes a recent practice session with Sinner at Melbourne Park, where Cruz posted a photo of the two of them side by side, alongside an older image from five years ago, when Cruz barely reached Sinner’s chest.
The post sparked a social media storm, especially after a comment from Nick Kyrgios, who has been outspoken about players involved in doping controversies. Kyrgios reacted to the post with, “Love ya Cruz but this is wild,” followed by “cooked post” and a needle emoji. While his comment sparked backlash, Kyrgios later clarified it was meant as a joke.
Cruz’s debut in the Australian Open qualifiers comes nearly 30 years after his father, Lleyton, first qualified for the Melbourne Park main draw as a 15-year-old in 1997. Cruz, who played in the boys’ championship at Melbourne Park last year, is already showing potential. Although his tournament ended after one match, it was clear that the teenager has a promising future in tennis.
With a serve that has become a powerful weapon due to his growth spurt, Cruz has also developed an all-around game under the guidance of his coach, former ATP player Peter Luczak. Luczak, who also works with top Australian player Alex de Minaur, has helped refine Cruz’s skills. Lleyton, who has supported Cruz courtside during Davis Cup matches, shared his son’s calm and focused approach to big matches. “He’s never been shy of playing on big courts or in front of people,” Lleyton said in October. “He takes it in his stride; it’s his journey, and it’s a very long journey.”
Cruz has shown a mature attitude toward comparisons with his father. While he acknowledges the attention, he sees it as motivation. “It just drives me to be better,” he said. “I don’t really mind.”
Despite his potential, Cruz faces a tough challenge in his upcoming qualifier match against Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili, currently ranked 208th. Basilashvili, a five-time ATP titleholder, has battled injuries in recent years, including four surgeries on his arm. However, a recent victory in a challenger event in Seoul has boosted his confidence. “It means a lot to me, especially after struggling all year,” he said. “But I still believe I can play top-50 tennis.”
Cruz’s recent results have included some setbacks, with losses to Brandon Holt and Hayden Jones, both rising stars. However, the future of Australian tennis looks bright, with several promising young players making their mark. Among them is 18-year-old Hayden Jones, who is also competing in the Australian Open qualifiers. His younger sister, 16-year-old Emerson Jones, has already reached significant heights, becoming Australia’s first junior world No. 1 since Jelena Dokic in 1998.
In contrast to the rise of new talent, former teenage star Bernard Tomic, now 32, is fighting to continue his career, aiming to qualify for the Australian Open by playing Slovakian Jozef Kovalik. Tomic’s ranking has fallen to 213th, but his ambition to revive his career remains strong.
In the women’s draw, Australian Kimberly Birrell, fresh off a quarter-final finish in Brisbane, will be hoping to continue her good form. She is set to face Japan’s Sara Saito in her qualifier, although rain delays have postponed many of the matches in Melbourne.
As Australian tennis continues to evolve, both rising stars and veterans will play a key role in shaping the future of the sport.
