Lleyton Hewitt sticks up for his son Cruz after teen copped Australian Open backlash – and another Aussie tennis great backs the youngster
- Calls of nepotism surrounding teenager Cruz Hewitt
- 16-year-old impressed in attempt to reach Grand Slam
Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt has defended his son Cruz after the teenager was targeted by trolls on social media.
Hewitt, 43, addressed speculation that his son, 16, had been given an Australian Open wildcard into the qualifiers, largely based on his famous surname.
Cruz was eliminated in the first round after being defeated in straight sets by former world number 16 Nikoloz Basilashvili, but he won admirers as he showed fight during the match.
He was one of four Aussies given a wildcard into the qualifying draw alongside fallen star Bernard Tomic, Alex Bolt and Jason Kubler.
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The rising teenager is currently ranked 1264th in the world and 107th in the junior world, but good judges see him as a player to watch.
Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt has defended his son Cruz (pictured together) after the teenager was targeted by social media trolls
This commentator suggested that Cruz Hewitt was given a wildcard ahead of qualifying for the Australian Open thanks to his famous father
Another said bluntly that Cruz Hewitt played the Junior Davis Cup for Australia thanks to his father’s influence
Fellow Aussie tennis great Todd Woodbridge on Tuesday rejected calls of ‘nepotism’ against Cruz Hewitt
“It’s a long journey,” two-time Grand Slam winner Lleyton Hewitt said on Channel Nine when asked about his son’s progress on the court on Tuesday.
“I was excited to see him play. He had a tough draw against Basilashvili, a former number 16 and a man who played finals at Indian Wells.
“For Cruz to be around these guys, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur… what incredible role models for him to see how they prepare.
“He’s playing well right now and it makes me excited to see him score with some of these world-class players… he can really give them a big enough hit.”
Fellow Aussie tennis great Todd Woodbridge also backed the youngster and rejected calls of ‘nepotism’ on social media.
“Cruz is in these positions because he is a very good, talented young player and one of our best here in Australia,” he told viewers on Tuesday.
“He deserves every chance he gets to be there. Some people [online trolls] would like to say otherwise.
Cruz Hewitt is currently ranked 1264th in the world and is ranked 107th in the junior world at the age of 16
‘I know you [Lleyton] having to deal with that and he shouldn’t have to, so I’m putting it out there – he deserves to be there.”
Meanwhile, Cruz Hewitt is expected to play in the junior boys’ draw at the 2025 Open.
He will be full of confidence after winning two titles in Sydney and one in Christchurch, New Zealand, last year.
Play at Melbourne Park starts on January 18.