Former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt marked a triumphant comeback to professional tennis after an absence of almost six years, teaming up with his 16-year-old son, Cruz, for an impressive win. Competing in the NSW Open Challenger event in Sydney, the father-son duo dominated their opponents, Hayden Jones and Pavle Marinkov, with a decisive 6-1, 6-0 victory in just under an hour.
Given a wildcard entry into the main draw, Hewitt and Cruz showcased their prowess on the court, fending off all four break points they encountered and swiftly advancing to the quarter-finals. Despite Hewitt’s last singles match dating back to 2016 and his official doubles retirement at the 2020 Australian Open, the 44-year-old displayed no signs of rustiness during the match, exhibiting a comfortable performance that culminated in a winning net shot.
Since stepping away from professional play, Hewitt has maintained his involvement in tennis as the captain of Australia’s Davis Cup team, often seen supporting his son’s burgeoning career. Cruz, a rising talent in the junior and Challenger circuits, recently participated in the Wimbledon boys’ singles event, where he faced a defeat despite an initial victory.
Reportedly ranked at No. 759 globally, Cruz Hewitt has been making strides in the Challenger tournaments, despite facing setbacks like an early exit from the men’s Australian Open qualifiers earlier this year. Notably, he clinched his first Challenger-level victory in Brisbane by defeating James McCabe before bowing out to Wu Tung-lin in a closely contested match.
With a current career-high ranking, Cruz continues to progress in the tennis realm, securing wins and gaining experience on the court. Alongside his father, the duo is poised to take on another Australian pair, Calum Puttergill and Dane Sweeny, in their forthcoming match.
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