4 days Ago By Anna Harrington
Cruz Hewitt, the teenage son of tennis great Lleyton Hewitt, has received a wildcard for the Australian Open qualifying tournament as he pushes for a grand-slam debut. Hewitt, 16, will attempt to reach the main draw for the first time 28 years after his father debuted at Melbourne Park as a 15-year-old. The junior world No.
107 debuted in the junior competition last year and was knocked out in the first round. One of Australia's most highly rated juniors, Hewitt is expected to feature in the junior tournament again but will look to step up his transition to senior tennis in 2025. The comparisons to father Lleyton will undoubtedly come with Cruz's entry, but the tall teenager is so far taking it in his stride.
"It is what it is, but I don't really mind," he said at this month's Newcombe Medal. "It just drives me to be better." His father noted of the inevitable comparisons: "Oh, they've already been there - ever since he picked up a racquet.
"He's just got to enjoy it as much as possible and make it fun. He's been doing great so far." The older Hewitt went on an inspired run through qualifying as a 15-year-old wildcard in 1997 to reach the first of 20 consecutive main draw appearances.
He went on to become world No.1 and claimed US Open and Wimbledon titles. Former world No.
17 Bernard Tomic, veteran Jason Kubler and Alex Bolt are also among 10 Australian men given wildcards for qualifying. A 32-year-old Tomic is eyeing his first main draw appearance in four years after previously making the fourth round three times. Omar Jasika has received a main draw wildcard for his red-hot run of ITF form.
World No.113 Kimberly Birrell headlines 13 Australian women in qualifying. The likes of Maddison Inglis, Arina Rodionova, Priscilla Hon, Taylah Preston and Destanee Aiava will also push to reach the main draw.
Former world No.1 Simona Halep, 33, has also been awarded a qualifying wildcard as she steps up her comeback. Halep's career stalled due to a doping ban that was reduced on appeal this year.
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