Cruz Hewitt reaches Wimbledon boys’ semifinal without dropping a set
Cruz Hewitt has stormed into the semifinals of the Wimbledon boys’ singles tournament, thrashing Bulgarian ninth seed Dimitar Kisimov 6-1, 6-2 in just 53 minutes on Friday. The 17-year-old Australian has yet to drop a set in four matches at the All England Club, cementing his status as the most dominant junior player in the draw.
Hewitt’s victory came a day after he eliminated the tournament’s No.2 seed, Jamie Mackenzie, in straight sets. The teenager is now one win away from becoming the first Australian to reach the boys’ final since Alex de Minaur in 2016. De Minaur lost that final to Denis Shapovalov, but Hewitt is already guaranteed to surpass his father Lleyton’s best junior finish at Wimbledon – a last-16 appearance in 1997.
“It’s incredible because I still remember when I was little, hitting on these courts, coming to watch my dad play,” Hewitt said after the match. “This is another step. I don’t think the job’s done yet.”
Semifinal opponent and path to the final
Hewitt will face Dutch 11th seed Thijs Boogaard in the semifinal on Saturday. If he wins, he will play for the championship on Sunday against the winner of the other semifinal. The last Australian to win the boys’ singles title was Luke Saville in 2011.
“Every tournament, you come in and you hope to win it, but I’m just here taking it one match at a time,” Hewitt said earlier in the week. “So far, three matches and I’ve enjoyed playing every one. So next match, I’ll try and do the same and then we’ll see how it goes.”
The Hewitt name and the pressure of legacy
Cruz Hewitt is the son of former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt, who won the Wimbledon men’s singles title in 2002 – 24 years before his son’s junior campaign. The younger Hewitt has spent this year learning the ropes on the lower tiers of the men’s tour, currently ranked No.606 in the ATP rankings. But his performances at SW19 have drawn huge crowds, selfie requests, and even support from Roger Federer’s twin daughters, Myla and Charlene, who were spotted courtside eating ice-cream during his second-round match.
The attention is unusual for a junior player, but Hewitt says he thrives on it. “The Australian people in the crowd have been really good – there were a few ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussies’ today – and that definitely helps, and gets my energy up,” he said after his second-round win.
Father’s influence and coaching team
Lleyton Hewitt has been a constant presence throughout the tournament, warming up with his son every day. The former champion is also competing in the Wimbledon invitational doubles event alongside Fabio Fognini, but has made time to support Cruz’s campaign.
“He helps me a lot. Obviously, having him on the sidelines has helped, just to support me being there. I’m grateful for him in my corner,” Cruz said.
Cruz is also coached by ex-Davis Cup representative Wayne Arthurs, who has helped the teenager develop a big-serving, aggressive game suited to grass. Against Kisimov, Hewitt blasted 10 aces and cracked 22 winners.
Broader implications: Australia’s next tennis hope
Cruz Hewitt’s run comes at a time when Australian tennis is eager to identify the next generation of talent. Alex de Minaur remains the country’s top male player, but behind him, the cupboard has been relatively bare. Hewitt’s rise offers a glimpse of a potential successor.
Australia has not had a men’s singles champion at Wimbledon since Lleyton Hewitt in 2002, and the country has been waiting for a new star to emerge. While junior success does not guarantee professional glory, Hewitt’s performances – including a warm-up grasscourt title at the Hurlingham Club – suggest he is on the right trajectory.
“I think that might be Lleyton Hewitt’s son,” is a whisper that has grown louder around the grounds this week. The crowds, the media attention, and the sense of unfinished business – Hewitt has described this tournament as his final junior event – all point to a young man ready to step into the spotlight.
In a related story, Australian duo Marc Polmans and Storm Hunter were beaten in the mixed doubles final by Marcelo Arevalo and Jelena Ostapenko, but all eyes remain on the teenager who could become the first Australian boys’ champion in 15 years.
Hewitt’s journey also resonates beyond tennis. The story of a son surpassing his father’s achievements – even if only in the junior ranks – is a timeless narrative. For Australian sports fans, it is also a reminder of the country’s rich tennis history and a hopeful sign for the future.
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