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London: Cruz Hewitt will play off for the Wimbledon boys’ singles title, almost a quarter of a century after his father won the men’s championship at the sport’s most hallowed grounds.
The little blond kid who followed Lleyton, the 2002 All England Club champion, around everywhere in his final days on tour – and even featured in TV advertisements with the former world No.1 – is all grown up and suddenly, one of the best junior prospects on the planet.
Hewitt secured his most impressive win of the week in the semi-finals on Friday against top Dutch junior Thijs Boogaard, who only a few weeks ago won a round at the ATP event in his home country before pushing Daniil Medvedev to a final-set tiebreak.
The 6-4, 6-4 triumph over the No.11 seed was the 17-year-old’s fourth in a row over seeded opposition, and makes him the first Australian to reach the Wimbledon boys’ final since Alex de Minaur a decade ago.
Hewitt has not dropped a set in his five wins to date, and is bidding to become the first Australian junior winner here since Luke Saville in 2011. De Minaur lost his final in three sets to fellow future top-10 star Denis Shapovalov.
“I’m really happy with my performance today,” Hewitt said.
“Like all my matches this week, I was very level-headed, stayed pretty composed throughout that whole match, and then that allowed me to play good tennis. I’m so happy to be in the final.”
Hewitt’s proud dad gave him a congratulatory slap on the back afterwards as the excitement builds around him. His mum, Bec, and coach, former Davis Cup hero Wayne Arthurs, were also part of the support crew on court 18.
Hewitt loves having his famous father in his corner, as much for support as the wisdom he brings from his Hall of Fame career. But most remarkable of all is how well the teenager handles being the “son of”.
“Obviously, my dad had a great career, but I’m not looking to equal it or do better. I just want to do my own career, and see how good I can be as a tennis player,” Hewitt said.
“[The expectation and pressure are] always there, but I take the positives out of it. I do what I can, and kind of block out all the other noise. It doesn’t bother me too much. I focus on myself, and try to do my best each day.
“I think I’ve always had this type of personality, which has obviously helped me.”
Hewitt’s even played a part in the fairytale run of the fortnight, warming up Arthur Fery at Aorangi Park on Friday morning ahead of the British wildcard’s semi-final against Alexander Zverev. It was the second time he has hit with Fery this week.
“I was very lucky to hit with him,” Hewitt said. “I warmed him up a few days ago, and we were going to warm up at the same time, so I think his coach might have asked my coach if I wanted to hit – and of course, I did.”
There has been increasing attention on Hewitt throughout the week, from fans and passers-by to playing peers and international media, who have started writing about him and appearing at his post-match press conferences.
The media pack was at its biggest after Hewitt’s semi-final win, with questions ranging from how well he knows the Federer twins, to whether he is still growing, why Lleyton claps slightly later than the rest of Team Hewitt, and whether he can beat his dad in practice.
“We haven’t played an official match. Maybe, we play like a few service games, points or a set, or something. But I should set up a match – maybe on grass, we’ll see,” Hewitt said.
“I actually won a few [sets], but he’s still very competitive, so he wants to win badly. He’ll be out there all day.”
Hewitt has handled it all with aplomb, including brushing off his first major on-court adversity on Friday when Boogaard broke him to lead 3-1 in the second set.
Hewitt’s biggest weapons – his serve and forehand, often in combination – are unmistakeable, but he is also comfortable moving forward, volleys well and displays mature shot selection.
The great Andre Agassi regarded Lleyton Hewitt as one of the best on-court decision-makers in the sport, so he has a perfect role model in that regard.
Hewitt was in good touch from the outset against Boogaard, taking advantage of his rival’s nervous start to break him in the third game of the match.
That was all the rising star needed to hold the Dutchman off in the opening set, but there was some spectacular play, including one whipped crosscourt forehand pass winner from a defensive position that left Boogaard stunned at the net.
A big “C’mon” followed for good measure, too.
Boogaard is a year older than Hewitt, already boasts a strong physical frame, and is about 80 spots higher in the men’s rankings, but the Australian was up to the challenge.
Hewitt’s serves were routinely close to 200km/h, and it is not just the speed but the accuracy with which he delivers them that make them so effective. No opponent this week has had a consistent answer to his serving, particularly on Wimbledon’s slick grasscourts.
There was one momentary lapse from Hewitt.
Serving to level the second set at two-all, having failed to convert two break points in the previous game, Hewitt experienced a sloppy few minutes, dropping serve to 15 with four unforced errors.
But like he has the rest of the week, Hewitt responded. An aggressive, deep forehand earned him a break-back point in the next game, and Boogaard crumbled with a double fault.
Hewitt found himself behind the count twice more on serve, but absorbed the pressure then made his move at four-all. With Boogaard trailing 15-30, Hewitt unleashed an enormous inside-out forehand that hurt the Dutchman, then the Australian went again – but this time it was a winner.
Boogaard sent a forehand long on the next point to concede another break, and Hewitt managed to grit out a tough hold to complete a straight-sets win.
Up next is 16-year-old American qualifier Jordan Lee.
So, how would Cruz Hewitt, Wimbledon champion sound?
“That sounds pretty good. But obviously, one more [to go], job’s not done. I hope that happens, but we’ll see,” he said.
Marc McGowan travelled to London with Tennis Australia’s support.
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