Seventeen-year-old Cruz Hewitt, son of former professional tennis player Lleyton Hewitt and actress Bec Hewitt, has received a qualifying wildcard for the Washington Open. This marks a significant career milestone, offering him the opportunity to compete in an ATP tournament main draw outside of Australia for the first time.
Hewitt recently reached the Wimbledon Boys Final, where he was defeated by Jordan Lee. The Washington Open announced Hewitt's wildcard entry on X, stating, "The future is here." The post included a photo of Hewitt alongside Lee, who also received a wildcard.
The qualifying rounds for the tournament are scheduled to begin on Saturday, with the main singles draw commencing the following week. Several Australian players, including Alex de Minaur and Nick Kyrgios, are also slated to participate in the event.
Hewitt has previously only received wildcards for ATP Challenger or ITF Circuit events within Australia. This wildcard at the Washington Open provides a platform for him to make his mark on the broader ATP circuit.
Fans have expressed their congratulations on social media, with one user calling it a "Wonderful initiative, to promote opportunities for these exceptional juniors."
Hewitt's father, Lleyton Hewitt, has a history with the Washington tournament, having won it in 2004 and last competing there in 2015.