Cruz Hewitt lands wildcard for Australian Open qualifying
- Cruz Hewitt lost his first-round qualifying match against Nikoloz Basilashvili at the Australian Open.
- Despite his efforts, Cruz lost in straight sets: 6-1, 6-4.
- The defeat illustrates the challenges faced by young tennis players entering high-level competition.
In Melbourne, Australia, Cruz Hewitt, the 16-year-old son of former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, competed in the first round of qualifying for the Australian Open. He faced Nikoloz Basilashvili, an experienced player from Georgia, on January 7, 2025. Despite showing determination and echoing his father's famous shouts of encouragement, Cruz was unable to secure a victory, ultimately losing in straight sets with scores of 6-1, 6-4. This match marked a significant moment in Cruz's budding tennis career, as he aimed to reach the main draw of the prestigious tournament for the first time. Although he did not advance, his father, who captains Australia’s Davis Cup team, was in attendance to support him, highlighting the family connection to tennis in the country. Lleyton Hewitt himself made his first appearance in the Australian Open as a 15-year-old qualifier back in 1997, setting a precedent for his son. Although Cruz did not progress in this attempt, his experience in high-stakes matches is expected to contribute positively to his development as a young player. Overall, this qualifying round illustrated both the challenges young athletes face in professional sports and the persistent legacy of the Hewitt name in Australian tennis. As Cruz continues to train, including sessions with top players like Jannik Sinner, the Australian tennis community watches closely, hopeful for his future successes in the sport that has such a rich history in his family.