Cruz Hewitt, the son of tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt, is making waves at Wimbledon. At just 17 years old, he's reached the junior boys' final, mirroring his father's success at the All England Club. This achievement is all the more remarkable considering the young Hewitt's humble beginnings. He followed his father around during his final days on tour, and now he's one of the best junior prospects globally.
What makes Cruz's journey fascinating is his ability to handle pressure and adversity. In the semi-finals, he faced the top-ranked Dutch junior, Thijs Boogaard, who had recently impressed at an ATP event in his home country. Despite Boogaard's strong physical frame and higher rankings, Cruz emerged victorious with a 6-4, 6-4 win. This was his fourth consecutive victory over seeded opposition, and he's the first Australian to reach the Wimbledon boys' final in a decade.
Cruz's success is attributed to his coach, Wayne Arthurs, a former Davis Cup hero. His serve and forehand are his biggest weapons, often in combination, and he's comfortable moving forward, displaying mature shot selection. The great Andre Agassi regarded Lleyton Hewitt as one of the best on-court decision-makers, and Cruz seems to be following in his father's footsteps.
The article highlights Cruz's impressive performance, noting that he hasn't dropped a set in his five wins. It also mentions the increasing attention he's receiving, from fans to international media, who have started writing about him and attending his post-match press conferences. Despite this, Cruz has handled the spotlight with grace, even brushing off his first major on-court adversity.
The author, Marc McGowan, traveled to London with Tennis Australia's support, providing an insider's perspective on the young star's journey. The article concludes by emphasizing Cruz's potential and the excitement surrounding his future in tennis, leaving readers eager to see what he accomplishes next.
