Cruz Hewitt reaches Wimbledon boys’ final 23 years after Lleyton Hewitt won the men’s title

Former Wimbledon champ Lleyton Hewitt has been at courtside to cheer 17-year-old son Cruz to the final of the boys' championship at the grass-court grand slam.

Ian Chadband
AAP
Cruz Hewitt roars after winning a point en route to the final of the Wimbledon boys' event.
Cruz Hewitt roars after winning a point en route to the final of the Wimbledon boys' event. Credit: AAP

Cruz Hewitt has roared into the Wimbledon boys’ final — nearly a quarter-of-a-century since his father Lleyton won the senior title.

Davis Cup captain Lleyton was at courtside on Friday to cajole and cheer on his 17-year-old son, who earned one of the most impressive victories of his fledgling career in the boys’ tournament.

Taking on Dutch prospect, 11th seed Thijs Boogaard, who’d stretched former world No.1 Daniil Medvedev to a final-set tiebreaker at a grass-court event in Rosmalen only last month, Hewitt won 6-4 6-4 on famous Court 18 where Wimbledon’s longest match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut was played.

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He becomes the first Australian to reach the boys’ final since Alex de Minaur, now the national No.1, a decade ago, and he still hasn’t dropped a set this week as he seeks to become the first to win the title since Luke Saville in 2011 on Sunday’s final day of the championships. (Monday AEST).

Asked if he liked the sound of Cruz Hewitt as Wimbledon champion, he smiled: “I think that sounds pretty good. But obviously one more job’s not done, so I hope that happens ... but we’ll see.

“I’m excited to get out there and I know the title’s one match away. But I’ve just got to keep doing the exact same things I’ve done all week. If it’s been working, I go out there and back myself, and then I’ll leave it all out there -- and we’ll hope.”

“I’ve been in the zone. I have one thing in my mind, and that’s to get the win, so, you know, we’ll see, one more.”

It has set up a final for the young Sydney prospect, who’s risen up to No.606 in the world after a spell in the lower professional ranks, against 16-year-old American qualifier Jordan Lee.

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Lleyton Hewitt, the 2002 champion who never got beyond the last-16 in the boys’ event, was left clearly thrilled at courtside along with family and a big entourage as he pumped his fist towards Cruz and gave him a slap on the back after the 75-minute win on another hot morning in SW19.

“I think he’s pretty proud,” said the youngster of his dad. “He’s happy with how far I’ve come, with my mentality, my game style. Yeah, he’s pretty happy.”

Cruz said he was uncertain if he will seek out his father for advice ahead of the final.

“I don’t think I need to worry about that. Maybe he’ll say something, but no, I’ll just leave it all out there. I think I’ll try and enjoy it as well,” Hewitt said.

Often, Cruz will hit with former world No.1 Lleyton but, instead, he’s warmed up before his last two matches against British wild card hero Arthur Fery, who was playing Alexander Zverev in the semi-final on Centre Court on Friday. (Saturday AEST).

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