Cruz Hewitt made an impressive debut at Wimbledon, mirroring his father Lleyton’s historic victory 23 years ago. The 16-year-old secured a commanding win over Russian player Savva Rybkin with a score of 6-1, 6-2 in the opening round of the boys’ competition. Cruz embraced his father’s legacy by sporting a back-to-front cap, reminiscent of Lleyton’s iconic style during his own successful career.
Lleyton Hewitt, a former world number one, was present to support his son – a testament to their close bond and shared passion for the sport. During his career, Lleyton captured the men’s singles title at Wimbledon in 2002 after defeating David Nalbandian, in addition to winning the 2001 US Open and reaching the finals at the 2005 Australian Open.
Earlier this year, Cruz debuted at the senior Grand Slam level at the 2025 Australian Open, receiving a wildcard for the qualifying rounds, where he faced a tough first-round match but progressed to the second round of the juniors competition. At Wimbledon, he is also competing alongside Britain’s Mark Ceban in the boys’ doubles event.
Next, Cruz will take on the Finnish 11th seed Oskari Paldanius, as he seeks to continue his pursuit of success on one of the sport’s grandest stages. His journey highlights a promising future for the young tennis player, with hopes of carving out his own legacy while honoring his father’s storied career.