Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt, now 44, has made a brief return to professional tennis to partner with his 16-year-old son Cruz at the Sydney Challenger. The pair received a wildcard entry into the doubles draw, marking a unique moment in Australian tennis.
Hewitt’s comeback
Hewitt retired in 2016 after a career that included winning the U.S. Open in 2001 and Wimbledon in 2002. Despite stepping away from singles, he has occasionally played doubles in Australia and continues to serve as the Davis Cup captain. His return this week was described as a one-off, designed to share the court with his son in a professional setting.
Cruz Hewitt’s rising career
Cruz Hewitt is beginning to make his way in the sport, competing in junior Grand Slam events and recently earning his first singles win on the Challenger Tour. Ranked outside the top 800, Cruz is still at the start of his journey, but playing alongside his father offers invaluable experience and exposure.
Hewitt’s reflections
Ahead of the match, Hewitt spoke about the significance of the opportunity. “È ovviamente qualcosa di unico e speciale. Non capita spesso che si presenti l’occasione,” ha detto Hewitt, sottolineando la rarità di una coppia padre-figlio a livello professionistico.
The match in Sydney
The Hewitts were scheduled to face fellow Australians Hayden Jones and Pavle Marinkov in their opening round at Ken Rosewall Arena. The event not only marked Hewitt’s first match in nearly six years but also gave Cruz a chance to showcase his progress in front of a home crowd.
This father-son doubles appearance is more than just a sporting event—it represents a generational link in Australian tennis, with one of the country’s greatest champions sharing the stage with his son as he begins his own career.
