Practising with Top Juniors
Seventeen-year-old Cruz Hewitt has become the first Australian to reach the boys’ Wimbledon final since Alex de Minaur achieved the feat a decade ago. Remarkably, Hewitt has done so without dropping a set throughout the tournament.
One advantage of being a successful junior at a grand slam is the opportunity to practise with players competing deep in the main draw. For Hewitt, this meant practising with Arthur Fery, the British wildcard participant at Wimbledon this year.
Hewitt eagerly took the chance to practise with Fery multiple times, including just before his semifinal match in the boys’ event. This preparation proved beneficial as Hewitt’s all-around game was in strong form when he defeated Thijs Boogaard of the Netherlands, a highly regarded junior prospect, with a score of 6-4, 6-4, advancing to the final.
Following in His Father’s Footsteps
Hewitt is the first Australian to reach the boys’ Wimbledon final since Alex de Minaur in 2013. His father, former Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt, was present courtside and visibly pleased, congratulating his son with a pat on the back.
“I think he’s pretty proud,”
the teenager said of his father, the former world No 1.“He’s happy with how far I’ve come with my mentality, my game style.”
Lleyton Hewitt, known for his intensity on court, won the US Open in 2001 and Wimbledon in 2002. While he is not Cruz’s coach—Wayne Arthurs holds that role—he serves as a mentor and a consistent source of encouragement.
“He’s in my corner,”
Cruz said.“Yeah, he’s coaching a little bit, but he’s also just there for support. Every time I look over at him, he’s showing me positivity, so that gets me up and about as well. And I use that.”
It was also noticeable that Lleyton often gave a single clap, usually just after the general applause, a subtle signal reminiscent of Judy Murray’s method with her son Andy. When this was mentioned, Cruz responded:
“I actually haven’t thought about that,”
he said.“Actually, now I’m thinking, maybe he does. Well, if it’s working … keep it going.”
Balancing Expectations and Performance
Growing up as the son of a tennis star has its benefits and challenges. Cruz and his father still practise and occasionally play sets together, with Cruz noting,
“I’ve won a few of them.”Having access to Lleyton’s experience and tactical insight is advantageous, but the pressure of living up to his father’s legacy is significant.
Cruz appears composed both on and off the court. During his semifinal match against Boogaard, after being broken early in the second set, he immediately broke back and then won five of the next six games to secure victory.
“I’m really happy with my performance,”
he said.“I think I, like all my matches this week, was very level-headed. Stayed pretty composed throughout that whole match, and then that allowed me to play good tennis.”
Off the court, Cruz is approachable and relaxed, comfortable in media interactions. While only one Australian journalist spoke with him after his first-round win, over ten reporters gathered after his semifinal to learn more about him.
He acknowledged the ever-present association with his father but focuses on the positives.
“Being Lleyton’s son is obviously always there, but I take the positives out of it. I do what I can, block out all the other noise. It doesn’t bother me too much. I just focus on myself and I just try to do my best each day.”
Unlike Leo Borg, son of Björn Borg, who found the pressure challenging, Cruz seems to handle it well.
“I’ve always had this type of personality, which has obviously helped me.”
Physical Development and Playing Style
Early concerns about Hewitt’s height potentially limiting his weapons appear to be unfounded. He seems to have grown since the Australian Open, estimating his height at about 6 feet 2 inches.
This growth supports his game, with his average first serve speed against Boogaard reaching 120 mph (194 kph). Hewitt’s flat backhand, heavy forehand, and solid movement complement his serve, making grass his preferred surface.
Looking Ahead to the Final
On Sunday, Hewitt will face Jordan Lee of the United States for the boys’ Wimbledon title. Hewitt aims to surpass Alex de Minaur’s achievement, who lost to Denis Shapovalov in the 2016 final.
“I’ve just got to do the exact same things I’ve done all week,”
he said.“I go out there and back myself and then I leave it all out there.”
