Cruz Hewitt has reached the Wimbledon boys' singles final, defeating Dutch prospect Thijs Boogaard 6-4, 6-4 on Friday. The 17-year-old Australian is the first from his country to reach the Wimbledon boys' final since Alex de Minaur in 2016.
Hewitt has not dropped a set throughout the tournament, beating four seeded opponents en route to the championship match, where he will face American Jordan Lee.
Following his semi-final victory, Hewitt was congratulated by members of Roger Federer's family, including the tennis legend's twin daughters. Federer's wife Mirka and his parents were also present, cheering on Hewitt. The friendship between the Hewitt and Federer families has developed in recent years, with Federer's children also supporting Hewitt at the Australian Open.
"They were opponents in the olden days," Robert Federer reportedly joked to Bec Hewitt as the families mingled. The Federer children were also seen embracing Hewitt after his win.
Hewitt's father, former Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt, watched from courtside, providing encouragement throughout the match. Cruz Hewitt stated that his father's support has been crucial, though Wayne Arthurs remains his coach. "He's in my corner. He's coaching a little bit, but he's also just there for support. Every time I look over at him, he's showing me positivity," Cruz Hewitt said.
Despite his father's Wimbledon success, Cruz Hewitt indicated he would not seek specific advice for the final, preferring to focus on his own game and enjoy the experience. He revealed that he entered the semi-final with excitement rather than nerves, attributing his success to an improved mentality and the ability to regain momentum when it wavers.
Hewitt is aiming to become the first Australian to win the Wimbledon boys' singles title since Luke Saville in 2011. He emphasized his focus on forging his own career path rather than equaling or surpassing his father's achievements, stating, "I just want to do my own career, see how good I can be as a tennis player."