- The Australian Open has announced their wildcards for the 2025 tournament
- The son of a tennis legend has been invited to qualify for the Grand Slam
Nearly 12 years after his father received a wildcard into the Australian Open, Cruz Hewit will follow in the footsteps of his father, Lleyton, after being awarded a berth at the 2025 Grand Slam.
Lleyton’s first appearance at the Australian Open came in 1997, where he was again given a wildcard at the age of 15.
Cruz, 16, is just entering the early years of his tennis career and hopes to reach the main draw of the men’s singles tournament at Melbourne Park, 28 years after his father’s debut.
The youngster, born in 2008, is currently ranked No. 106 in the world junior rankings after reaching a career-high of No. 99 in 2024.
He is also ranked No. 1264 on the ATP Tour, having reached the second round of two Challenge Tour events in 2024.
Cruz is one of Australia’s most exciting emerging talents and recently attended the Newcombe Medal Awards with his father and mother Bec.
Lleyton Hewitt’s son Cruz has been given a wildcard for the 2025 Australian Open
Cruz (right) will follow in the footsteps of his father (left) who first appeared at Melbourne Park 28 years ago
But the young star shows no sign of letting the expectations of the achievements of his father, who has won two Grand Slams during his glittering career, weigh on him.
Cruz, who was nominated for junior male athlete of the year at last week’s Newcombe Medal, said: “It is what it is. But I don’t mind that.
“It just drives me to get better.”
Cruz has won two ITF junior titles this year and recorded his first professional victory in August, beating Dutchman Thijmen Loof at the M15 tennis tournament in Bali.
In 2024, he had been given a wildcard to play at the junior Australian Open, where he was defeated in the first round by Alexander Razeghi.
His father urged patience over the rising star’s future, claiming it is becoming increasingly difficult for young players to break through on the men’s tour.
“It’s becoming increasingly difficult to join the men’s tour at such a young age and make that transition,” Lleyton Hewitt said.
‘So he just has to enjoy it.
‘And they are stepping stones, it’s about always trying to keep improving.’
It comes as Simona Halep also received a wildcard for January’s tournament after the Romanian star dropped to 877 in the women’s rankings following her doping ban.
Cruz is one of eleven Australian men competing in the qualifying rounds. Bernard Tomic, Jason Kubler and Alex Bolt will all be battling to reach the main draw.
Thirteen Australian female players were also included in the women’s draw, including Kimberly Birrell, Maddison Inglis, Arina Rodionova Taylah Preston and Destanee Aiava.