- Cruz Hewitt lost his grand slam match in straight sets
- Papa Lleyton hopes this is just the beginning of his time on the tour
- Described how 15-year-olds can progress in the sport from here
Lleyton Hewitt has outlined his son Cruz’s roadmap to tennis stardom after the 15-year-old took a big step by playing his first junior Grand Slam at the Australian Open last week.
While Cruz got off to a good start against his American opponent Alexander Razeghi last Sunday, he lost 6-3, 6-2 after his father came on court to help him warm up.
Lleyton pointed out that his son is ‘still very young and immature’ after the defeat, explaining where the youngster should go after a wildcard entry into his home grand slam.
Cruz Hewitt reacts during his Australian Open loss to American Alexander Razeghi on Sunday, in what his father hoped will be the first of many high-profile tournament appearances
Lleyton Hewitt (pictured during Cruz’s match) says his son needs to accumulate points in lower-level tournaments so he can compete in more junior Grand Slams
‘Playing in the juniors is still about learning and the experience you gain. You want to keep working hard to give yourself the opportunity to play at Rod Laver Arena in a men’s match one day,” the 42-year-old told Channel Nine on Wednesday.
‘He would have to get his junior ranking a lot higher to be able to participate in the other junior Grand Slams.
‘Before that he will play ITF (International Tennis Federation) tournaments, some of the bigger ones around the world, but you have to get enough points to give yourself the chance to play against those best players again.
‘Then he will play some Futures, which is also the lowest level of ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) tournaments, so he will try a combination of both.
“Really, it’s just about developing your game now.”
Cruz’s famous mother Bec (pictured third from right) was also front and center as the 15-year-old achieved a milestone in his tennis career at Melbourne Park
The young man had a moment to savor as his legendary father helped him warm up on Show Court 3 – the same court where he had his first main draw match at the Australian Open.
Asked about his role in developing Cruz’s skills, Hewitt said he is part of a team effort.
“I know him probably better than anyone, especially his style of play and how he likes to do it,” he said.
“But he also has his own team around him and we all speak freely about what he needs to work on and then they go out and try to do it.”
The Australian Open and US Open champion was delighted with Cruz’s experience during his home Grand Slam match.
“He wanted me to go outside and warm him up. They asked me late last night if I wanted to warm him up this morning on Show Court 3. A very special moment,” he said after his son’s match.
“My first ever main draw match at the Australian Open also took place on Show Court 3, so it just brought back some great memories playing here.”