Hewitt’s Path to the Final
Hewitt’s Path to the Final
Cruz Hewitt has advanced to the Wimbledon boys’ singles final, becoming the first Australian to reach the junior final in a decade. The 17-year-old secured his spot by defeating Thijs Boogaard of the Netherlands with a 6-4, 6-4 straight-sets victory in the semi-final. Hewitt has maintained an undefeated run throughout the tournament, reaching the championship match without dropping a single set.
His impressive form includes a previous win against Bulgarian Dimitar Kisimov, the ninth seed, with a score of 6-1, 6-2. Hewitt’s consistent performance has drawn attention, particularly as he seeks to become the first Australian to win the boys’ tournament in years. His father, Lleyton Hewitt, the 2002 Wimbledon champion, has been present in the stands, watching his son’s progress.
Hewitt has expressed feeling at home at the All England Club, having been around the venue since he was a toddler. He noted that he has always been keen to watch matches and be among Australian players. He views his current career as his own path, distinct from his father’s achievements, aiming to be the best player he can be rather than trying to equal or surpass his father’s record.
Impact and Expectations
The surname Hewitt carries significance at Wimbledon, and Cruz’s journey to the final has generated considerable interest from fans in Australia and London. His development over the past year has been notable, both physically and in terms of his game improvement, especially considering he exited in the second round of the boys’ tournament a year ago. His serve is considered a strong asset, with aces recorded across five wins, placing him as one of the highest in the boys’ draw. He also wins a high percentage of points on his first serve. His forehand is described as powerful, complementing his serve to create a strong offensive combination.
British tennis legend John Lloyd has praised Hewitt’s performance, highlighting his game management and court awareness. Lloyd suggested that Hewitt appears to be ahead of junior tennis and ready for senior competition, noting his variety in play. Hewitt has already participated in some senior tournaments this year, including a quarter-final appearance at an ATP Challenger event in Brisbane and victories over players ranked in the 200s. He also secured a title in a World Tennis event.
The last Australian to reach the junior final was Alex de Minaur a decade ago, while the most recent Australian boys’ champion at Wimbledon was Luke Saville in 2011. Hewitt’s rival in the final is American Jordan Lee, a player who has also shown strong form at Wimbledon and is among the youngest players in the boys’ draw.
Looking Ahead to the Final
He aims to bring his best tennis to the final, driven by a growing hunger as he progresses through the tournament. His coach is former Australian Davis Cup representative Wayne Arthurs, and he has received support from other Australian tennis figures.
The final is scheduled for Sunday AEST. Hewitt’s semi-final victory against Boogaard, where he rallied from a service break down in the second set, was described as his best match of the tournament so far, showcasing his mental resilience.
In other Wimbledon news, the Australian mixed doubles pairing of Marc Polmans and Storm Hunter were defeated in their final by Marcelo Arevalo and Jelena Ostapenko.
Hewitt has been training with players like Alex de Minaur, who has been a top player for the past three years, gaining insights into professional practices. He also warmed up with English wildcard Arthur Fery before his semi-final. He stated that he is focused on playing another strong match.
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Source: foxsports.com.au
