Cruz Hewitt has made history by becoming the first Australian to reach the Wimbledon boys’ final since Alex de Minaur. In a remarkable semifinal match, Hewitt defeated the 11th seed Thijs Boogaard with a score of 6-4, 6-4, maintaining his impressive record of not dropping a single set throughout the tournament.
The 17-year-old will face 16-year-old American qualifier Jordan Lee in the final, scheduled for Sunday evening (AEST). This achievement comes nearly 25 years after his father, Lleyton Hewitt, claimed the senior Wimbledon title.
Lleyton, who serves as the Davis Cup captain, was present at the match to provide support and encouragement for his son. Cruz’s victory marks a significant milestone in his early career, showcasing his potential in the prestigious boys’ tournament.
In the semifinal, Cruz faced Dutch player Thijs Boogaard, who had recently pushed former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev to a final-set tiebreak in a grass-court event. The match took place on the iconic Court 18, known for hosting the longest match in Wimbledon history between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut. Hewitt’s win was decisive, and he is now aiming to become the first Australian titleholder since Luke Saville in 2011.
When asked about the prospect of becoming the Wimbledon champion, Cruz expressed enthusiasm, saying, “I think that sounds pretty good. But obviously one more job’s not done, so I hope that happens… but we’ll see.” He acknowledged the importance of maintaining his current performance as he prepares for the final, emphasizing his commitment to giving his all on the court.
This upcoming final marks a significant moment for the young player from Sydney, who has climbed to No. 606 in the world rankings after competing in lower professional tiers. Lleyton Hewitt, the champion of 2002 who did not progress past the last-16 in the boys’ event during his youth, was visibly excited during the match, celebrating his son’s achievement with family and friends after the 75-minute contest.
Cruz reflected on his father’s pride, stating, “I think he’s pretty proud. He’s happy with how far I’ve come, with my mentality, my game style. Yeah, he’s pretty happy.” Although Cruz typically practices with his father, he has opted to warm up with British wild card Arthur Fery before his last two matches, as Fery’s remarkable run was halted by Alexander Zverev.
