Why this simple photo of Lleyton Hewitt’s son Cruz with world No.3 Carlos Alcaraz has stunned Aussie tennis fans

Cruz Hewitt, the son of Australian tennis great Lleyton, may have lost his qualifying match this weekend, but he has stunned tennis fans by posting a photo highlighting his incredible growth spurt.

Hewitt had a tough start to the tennis summer, being knocked out in the first qualifying round at the Canberra International Challenger event despite fighting hard to stay in the match.

The 16-year-old son of Australian great Lleyton Hewitt suffered a 7-6 (11-9) 6-1 defeat to American Brandon Holt on Sunday.

However, fans have been left stunned by the speed at which the youngster has skyrocketed – which was shown in a few photos posted to Instagram.

In one shot, taken at the 2021 Australian Open with world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, Hewitt only comes up to the superstar’s shoulder.

Three and a half years later, in the second photo with Alcaraz, Hewitt is taller than the 183 cm tall Spaniard.

Hewitt (pictured with the Spaniard in 2001) has skyrocketed in 3.5 years

“How is it possible that there are only 3.5 years between these photos of Lleyton Hewitt and Alcaraz’s son,” tennis influencer Bastien Fachan wrote to X.

“How is it bro bigger than him,” another posted.

“You got it for the height Cruzza,” a third commented.

Hewitt’s opponent this weekend, Holt, also has a famous tennis history, with his mother being former women’s world number 1 Tracy Austin.

Holt showed real grit to fight back from 5-2 down in the opening set before saving two set points to take the see-saw tiebreaker.

Hewitt was unable to recover, but certainly impressed the fans with his talent and tenacity.

‘I look at Cruz Hewitt for a bit. I am impressed,” said tennis journalist Jose Morgado.

Tennis writer Jake Davies wrote: ‘Cruz Hewitt, the son of former world number 1 Lleyton, goes out 6-7 1-6 against Brandon Holt in the Canberra qualifiers. Cruz had three set points in the tiebreak and was a little out of sorts after missed opportunities. Played a promising opening set anyway, has some qualities similar to his father.’

Hewitt (pictured at Melbourne Park earlier this year) was knocked out in the first qualifying round of the Canberra International Challenger event

The youngster (pictured with his famous parents) will now turn his attention to trying to qualify for the Australian Open

Hewitt will now turn his attention to trying to qualify for the Australian Open which starts on January 12.

Twenty-eight years after his father successfully qualified at the age of 15, Hewitt has been given a wildcard into the Melbourne Park qualifiers.

Hewitt already carries over his father and has impressive serving firepower. Hewitt will also compete in the boys’ singles at the Australian Open after crashing out in the first round this year.

The teenager is currently ranked No. 107 in the junior world but reached as high as No. 99 in October and was nominated for Australian Junior Man of the Year at the Newcombe Medal awards ceremony this month.

Holt, meanwhile, will play Canadian Alexis Galarneau for a place in the main draw in Canberra.