Like father, like son! Hewitt Cruz-es to win Wimbledon debut
Following in his father's footsteps, but incredibly at a year younger than Lleyton, Hewitt took his highly anticipated first steps on the hallowed grass of The All England Club.
And the 16-year-old showed he could be Australian men's tennis' next big thing, cruising past Russian Savva Rybkin, who has only been beaten eight times in his junior career.
Hewitt claimed a convincing 6-1, 6-2 victory in the first round of the famed junior tournament, eliciting Lleyton's trademark fist pumps from the player's box. Cruz Hewitt of Australia celebrates a break point against Savva Rybkin. Credit: Dan Istitene / Getty Images
The youngster bears an uncanny resemblance to his father, especially in a back-to-front cap, moving around the court swiftly and utilising powerful groundstrokes.
Lleyton featured in the junior draw at Wimbledon in 1998 at 17 years old before going on to win two Grand Slams, one on the famed grass in 2002, less than a year after his first at the 2001 US Open. Cruz Hewitt of Australia plays a forehand against Savva Rybkin. Credit: Dan Istitene / Getty Images
Hewitt Snr remains the last Australian man to claim a Grand Slam title and is the current coach of Australia's Davis Cup team, which he represented when they won their last title in 2003.
His son will next face Finnish 11th seed Oskari Paldanius on Tuesday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘Not fine': Cruz Hewitt snaps at father Lleyton during second-round Wimbledon exit
Cruz Hewitt has been knocked out of the Wimbledon boy's singles tournament during a frustrating match in which he repeatedly took aim at his tennis legend father Lleyton. Cruz, The 16-year-old Aussie, who is 45th in the world junior rankings, fell in straight sets 6-3, 6-0 on Tuesday morning (AEST) to Finland's 11th seed Oskari Paldanius. Cruz was spotted becoming increasing frustrated as he lost control of the second-round match, an began taking his frustration out on his father who was attempted to coach him from the stands. As reported by the Daily Mail, Cruz at one point accused Lleyton of 'acting for the cameras' before snapping back at a piece of coaching from his father with the reply 'I tried that!' In response to his team telling him 'everything was fine' in the second set, Cruz reportedly replied, 'it's not fine, it's nearly four-love!' It was all a far cry from the cool, calm and collected Cruz Hewitt who delighted Wimbledon crowds in the opening round on Sunday with his 6-1 6-2 victory over Russia's Savva Rybkin. 23 years after his dad Lleyton won the men's title at Wimbledon, fans on the famous grass courts couldn't help but draw comparisons between the father and son. 'Same backwards cap, same Yonex racket, same Nike heritage polo, same attitude. A carbon copy,' tennis commentator Bastien Fachan wrote on X, echoing the thoughts of fans across the globe. Hewitt 2.0 was almost untouchable in the opening match in the boys singles. With his dad watching and fist-pumping from the stands, Cruz looked eerily similar to his old man as he guided two-fisted backhands down the line and roared in celebration. Only 16, Cruz is hoping to emulate the famous feats of his father, which included victory over David Nalbandian in the 2002 Wimbledon men's singles final.
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Aryna Sabalenka sets up Wimbledon semifinal date with Amanda Anisimova after surviving huge scare
Aryna Sabalenka will meet Amanda Anisimova for a place in the women's singles final at Wimbledon, which was expected when day nine dawned at the Championships. What was not anticipated was just how hard it would be for both players to reach the last four. World number one and title favourite Sabalenka looked on the cusp of going out against 37-year-old 104-ranked Laura Siegemund when she was 4-3 and a break down in the third set, having also lost the first. Anisimova, meanwhile, almost threw away what had appeared an unassailable lead against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, being forced to save five set points having led 6-1, 5-2 before taking her fourth match point. She finally won 6-1, 7-6 (11-9). Sabalenka subsequently reflected that she would probably have lost had she not put herself through a tough self-appraisal after losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff. In that match, she made 70 unforced errors, losing after winning the first set, and realised she needed to control her emotions better on court. It did not look as if she had absorbed the lesson during the first set, with her body language portraying her frustration as she struggled to deal with Siegemund's unusual mix of slices and chops. "I think there's a big possibility that I would have lost this match if I didn't learn that lesson at the French Open," Sabalenka said after winning 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in 6 minutes short of 3 hours. "In some moments I just … kept reminding myself, 'Come on, it's the quarterfinal of Wimbledon, you cannot give up, you cannot let the emotions just take over you and lose another match'. "I was just reminding myself that it's my dream, why would I give up so easily, so I have to keep fighting … I kept telling myself that, and I was willing to win points, to push myself and to get those tough points." Anisimova also struggled to control her emotions as 50th-ranked Pavlyuchenkova launched her comeback. The 34-year-old won three games on the trot, saving two match points in the process, including hitting a gutsy drop shot winner that completely caught the 13th seed by surprise. Anisimova looked like she was on the verge of breaking down, mouthing to her support group "one more point" as the Russian kept earning set points in the tiebreak. The 23-year-old American failed to qualify for Wimbledon last year but reached the quarterfinal in 2022 and the French Open semifinal, as a 17-year-old, in 2019. In 2023 she took a break from the tour, saying she had been "struggling with my mental health and burnout". "It's been an extraordinary year for me," she said. "So many highs. It's just been such a ride, and I've been enjoying every step of the way. "Even times like today, when you're not sure you're going to cross the finish line, I keep reminding myself to enjoy the moment." The pair met at Roland-Garros, Sabalenka winning 7-5, 6-3, but she said of facing Anisimova on grass: "I definitely think this surface suits her game really well. That's why she's playing so well so far." The remaining women's quarterfinals will feature seventh seed Mirra Andreeva vs Belinda Bencic and eighth seed Świątek vs 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova. AAP
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Favourites progress at Wimbledon, but suffer first
Aryna Sabalenka will meet Amanda Anisimova for a place in the women's singles final at Wimbledon, which was expected when day nine dawned at the Championships. What was not anticipated was just how hard it would be for both players to reach the last four. World No.1 and title favourite Sabalenka looked on the cusp of going out against 37-year-old 104-ranked Laura Siegemund when she was 4-3 and a break down in the third set, having also lost the first. Anisimova, meanwhile, almost threw away what had appeared an unassailable lead against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, being forced to save five set points having led 6-1 5-2 before taking her fourth match point. She finally won 6-1 7-6 (11-9). Sabalenka subsequently reflected that she would probably have lost had she not put herself through a tough self-appraisal after losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff. In that match she made 70 unforced errors, losing after winning the first set, and realised she needed to control her emotions better on court. It did not look as if she had absorbed the lesson during the first set with her body language portraying her frustration as she struggled to deal with Siegemund's unusual mix of slices and chops. "I think there's a big possibility that I would have lost this match if I didn't learn that lesson at the French Open," Sabalenka said after winning 4-6 6-2 6-4 in six minutes short of three hours. "In some moments I just ... kept reminding myself, 'Come on, it's the quarter-final of Wimbledon, you cannot give up, you cannot let the emotions just take over you and lose another match'. "I was just reminding myself that it's my dream, why would I give up so easily, so I have to keep fighting ... I kept telling myself that, and I was willing to win points, to push myself and to get those tough points." Anisimova also struggled to control her emotions as 50th-ranked Pavlyuchenkova launched her comeback. The 34-year-old won three games on the trot, saving two match points in the process, including hitting a gutsy dropshot winner that completely caught the 13th seed by surprise. Anisimova looked like she was on the verge of breaking down, mouthing to her support group "one more point" as the Russian kept earning set points in the tiebreak. The 23-year-old American failed to qualify for Wimbledon last year but reached the quarter-final in 2022 and the French Open semi-final, as a 17-year-old, in 2019. In 2023 she took a break from the tour, saying she had been "struggling with my mental health and burnout". "It's been an extraordinary year for me," she said. "So many highs. It's just been such a ride, and I've been enjoying every step of the way. Even times like today, when you're not sure you're going to cross the finish line, I keep reminding myself to enjoy the moment." The pair met at Roland Garros, Sabalenka winning 7-5 6-3, but she said of facing Anisimova on grass: "I definitely think this surface suits her game really well. That's why she's playing so well so far." On Wednesday (local time) the remaining women's quarter-finals will feature seventh seed Mirra Andreeva vs. Belinda Bencic and eighth seed Iga Swiatek vs. 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova. with agencies Aryna Sabalenka will meet Amanda Anisimova for a place in the women's singles final at Wimbledon, which was expected when day nine dawned at the Championships. What was not anticipated was just how hard it would be for both players to reach the last four. World No.1 and title favourite Sabalenka looked on the cusp of going out against 37-year-old 104-ranked Laura Siegemund when she was 4-3 and a break down in the third set, having also lost the first. Anisimova, meanwhile, almost threw away what had appeared an unassailable lead against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, being forced to save five set points having led 6-1 5-2 before taking her fourth match point. She finally won 6-1 7-6 (11-9). Sabalenka subsequently reflected that she would probably have lost had she not put herself through a tough self-appraisal after losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff. In that match she made 70 unforced errors, losing after winning the first set, and realised she needed to control her emotions better on court. It did not look as if she had absorbed the lesson during the first set with her body language portraying her frustration as she struggled to deal with Siegemund's unusual mix of slices and chops. "I think there's a big possibility that I would have lost this match if I didn't learn that lesson at the French Open," Sabalenka said after winning 4-6 6-2 6-4 in six minutes short of three hours. "In some moments I just ... kept reminding myself, 'Come on, it's the quarter-final of Wimbledon, you cannot give up, you cannot let the emotions just take over you and lose another match'. "I was just reminding myself that it's my dream, why would I give up so easily, so I have to keep fighting ... I kept telling myself that, and I was willing to win points, to push myself and to get those tough points." Anisimova also struggled to control her emotions as 50th-ranked Pavlyuchenkova launched her comeback. The 34-year-old won three games on the trot, saving two match points in the process, including hitting a gutsy dropshot winner that completely caught the 13th seed by surprise. Anisimova looked like she was on the verge of breaking down, mouthing to her support group "one more point" as the Russian kept earning set points in the tiebreak. The 23-year-old American failed to qualify for Wimbledon last year but reached the quarter-final in 2022 and the French Open semi-final, as a 17-year-old, in 2019. In 2023 she took a break from the tour, saying she had been "struggling with my mental health and burnout". "It's been an extraordinary year for me," she said. "So many highs. It's just been such a ride, and I've been enjoying every step of the way. Even times like today, when you're not sure you're going to cross the finish line, I keep reminding myself to enjoy the moment." The pair met at Roland Garros, Sabalenka winning 7-5 6-3, but she said of facing Anisimova on grass: "I definitely think this surface suits her game really well. That's why she's playing so well so far." On Wednesday (local time) the remaining women's quarter-finals will feature seventh seed Mirra Andreeva vs. Belinda Bencic and eighth seed Iga Swiatek vs. 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova. with agencies Aryna Sabalenka will meet Amanda Anisimova for a place in the women's singles final at Wimbledon, which was expected when day nine dawned at the Championships. What was not anticipated was just how hard it would be for both players to reach the last four. World No.1 and title favourite Sabalenka looked on the cusp of going out against 37-year-old 104-ranked Laura Siegemund when she was 4-3 and a break down in the third set, having also lost the first. Anisimova, meanwhile, almost threw away what had appeared an unassailable lead against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, being forced to save five set points having led 6-1 5-2 before taking her fourth match point. She finally won 6-1 7-6 (11-9). Sabalenka subsequently reflected that she would probably have lost had she not put herself through a tough self-appraisal after losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff. In that match she made 70 unforced errors, losing after winning the first set, and realised she needed to control her emotions better on court. It did not look as if she had absorbed the lesson during the first set with her body language portraying her frustration as she struggled to deal with Siegemund's unusual mix of slices and chops. "I think there's a big possibility that I would have lost this match if I didn't learn that lesson at the French Open," Sabalenka said after winning 4-6 6-2 6-4 in six minutes short of three hours. "In some moments I just ... kept reminding myself, 'Come on, it's the quarter-final of Wimbledon, you cannot give up, you cannot let the emotions just take over you and lose another match'. "I was just reminding myself that it's my dream, why would I give up so easily, so I have to keep fighting ... I kept telling myself that, and I was willing to win points, to push myself and to get those tough points." Anisimova also struggled to control her emotions as 50th-ranked Pavlyuchenkova launched her comeback. The 34-year-old won three games on the trot, saving two match points in the process, including hitting a gutsy dropshot winner that completely caught the 13th seed by surprise. Anisimova looked like she was on the verge of breaking down, mouthing to her support group "one more point" as the Russian kept earning set points in the tiebreak. The 23-year-old American failed to qualify for Wimbledon last year but reached the quarter-final in 2022 and the French Open semi-final, as a 17-year-old, in 2019. In 2023 she took a break from the tour, saying she had been "struggling with my mental health and burnout". "It's been an extraordinary year for me," she said. "So many highs. It's just been such a ride, and I've been enjoying every step of the way. Even times like today, when you're not sure you're going to cross the finish line, I keep reminding myself to enjoy the moment." The pair met at Roland Garros, Sabalenka winning 7-5 6-3, but she said of facing Anisimova on grass: "I definitely think this surface suits her game really well. That's why she's playing so well so far." On Wednesday (local time) the remaining women's quarter-finals will feature seventh seed Mirra Andreeva vs. Belinda Bencic and eighth seed Iga Swiatek vs. 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova. with agencies Aryna Sabalenka will meet Amanda Anisimova for a place in the women's singles final at Wimbledon, which was expected when day nine dawned at the Championships. What was not anticipated was just how hard it would be for both players to reach the last four. World No.1 and title favourite Sabalenka looked on the cusp of going out against 37-year-old 104-ranked Laura Siegemund when she was 4-3 and a break down in the third set, having also lost the first. Anisimova, meanwhile, almost threw away what had appeared an unassailable lead against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, being forced to save five set points having led 6-1 5-2 before taking her fourth match point. She finally won 6-1 7-6 (11-9). Sabalenka subsequently reflected that she would probably have lost had she not put herself through a tough self-appraisal after losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff. In that match she made 70 unforced errors, losing after winning the first set, and realised she needed to control her emotions better on court. It did not look as if she had absorbed the lesson during the first set with her body language portraying her frustration as she struggled to deal with Siegemund's unusual mix of slices and chops. "I think there's a big possibility that I would have lost this match if I didn't learn that lesson at the French Open," Sabalenka said after winning 4-6 6-2 6-4 in six minutes short of three hours. "In some moments I just ... kept reminding myself, 'Come on, it's the quarter-final of Wimbledon, you cannot give up, you cannot let the emotions just take over you and lose another match'. "I was just reminding myself that it's my dream, why would I give up so easily, so I have to keep fighting ... I kept telling myself that, and I was willing to win points, to push myself and to get those tough points." Anisimova also struggled to control her emotions as 50th-ranked Pavlyuchenkova launched her comeback. The 34-year-old won three games on the trot, saving two match points in the process, including hitting a gutsy dropshot winner that completely caught the 13th seed by surprise. Anisimova looked like she was on the verge of breaking down, mouthing to her support group "one more point" as the Russian kept earning set points in the tiebreak. The 23-year-old American failed to qualify for Wimbledon last year but reached the quarter-final in 2022 and the French Open semi-final, as a 17-year-old, in 2019. In 2023 she took a break from the tour, saying she had been "struggling with my mental health and burnout". "It's been an extraordinary year for me," she said. "So many highs. It's just been such a ride, and I've been enjoying every step of the way. Even times like today, when you're not sure you're going to cross the finish line, I keep reminding myself to enjoy the moment." The pair met at Roland Garros, Sabalenka winning 7-5 6-3, but she said of facing Anisimova on grass: "I definitely think this surface suits her game really well. That's why she's playing so well so far." On Wednesday (local time) the remaining women's quarter-finals will feature seventh seed Mirra Andreeva vs. Belinda Bencic and eighth seed Iga Swiatek vs. 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova. with agencies
