Adelaide’s Cruz Hewitt reaches Wimbledon boys’ final, eyes end to 15-year drought
Hewitt’s Path to the Final
Cruz Hewitt, an Australian junior tennis player, has secured a spot in the Wimbledon boys’ singles final. His journey to the championship match has been marked by a strong performance, including a straight-sets victory over Thijs Boogaard of the Netherlands with a score of 6-4, 6-4 in the semi-finals. This win means Hewitt has reached the final without dropping a single set throughout the tournament.
The 17-year-old’s consistent play has drawn attention, particularly as he seeks to become the first Australian to win the boys’ tournament in 15 years. His semi-final triumph against Boogaard, who was the Dutch 11th seed, was described as a classy display. Prior to this, Hewitt had also defeated Bulgarian ninth seed Dimitar Kisimov with a score of 6-1, 6-2 in the quarter-finals.
Hewitt’s father, Lleyton Hewitt, a former Wimbledon champion, has been present to watch his son’s matches. The younger Hewitt has expressed a strong connection to the All England Club, having spent time there since childhood. He noted that the environment feels like home, given his father’s history at the tournament and his own experiences watching matches and being around Australian players from a young age.
Rising Talent and Expectations
Cruz Hewitt’s performance at Wimbledon has generated considerable interest. He has served 29 aces in five wins, which is the second-highest in the boys’ draw, and wins 80 percent of points when landing his first serve. His game is characterised by a powerful serve followed by a strong forehand. While he may not possess his father’s speed on court, he moves effectively, and his backhand is considered solid.
The Australian’s development has been notable, especially compared to his performance a year ago when he exited the boys’ tournament in the second round. His progress includes a quarter-final appearance at an ATP Challenger event in Brisbane, victories over men ranked in the 200s, and a title win at a World Tennis event this year. He has also had opportunities to train with top players like Alex de Minaur, who has been a consistent presence in the top 10 for the past three years, and has received advice from him.
British tennis legend John Lloyd has praised Hewitt’s game, noting his ability to manage matches and his court awareness, suggesting he appears ready for senior tennis. Hewitt’s run to the final without dropping a set has been described as flawless. His opponent in the final will be American Jordan Lee, who is also in strong form and is the youngest player in the boys’ draw.
Australian Junior Tennis Landscape
Cruz Hewitt’s achievement marks him as the first Australian to reach the junior final in a decade. The last Australian to compete in the boys’ final was Alex de Minaur, who reached it ten years ago. The most recent Australian champion in the Wimbledon boys’ event was Luke Saville in 2011. Saville, a former junior world number one, later achieved a ranking of 152, played in Wimbledon rounds, represented Australia in the Olympics, and reached an Australian Open doubles final.
Another Australian junior, Alexei Popyrin, won a junior Grand Slam at Roland Garros in 2017. He later won the Montreal Masters two years ago and reached the fourth round of the US Open shortly after. These examples highlight the potential, but also the challenges, for junior players transitioning to the senior circuit.
Hewitt’s focus remains on his own career path, aiming to be the best tennis player he can be, rather than solely trying to emulate or surpass his father’s achievements. He acknowledges the support of his family and friends, including Roger Federer’s twin daughters, who have regularly attended his matches. His coach, former Australian Davis Cup representative Wayne Arthurs, and other Australian tennis figures like Jaymon Crabb, have also been in his corner.
The final match is scheduled for Sunday AEST.
Source: foxsports.com.au
