Lleyton Hewitt is reportedly feeling uncomfortable about his 20-year-old daughter Mia's growing relationship with her boyfriend, musician Vanda Erich. The Australian tennis champion is said to be uneasy about Mia's closeness with her new partner, which includes public displays of affection.
According to a report in New Idea magazine, Hewitt was particularly unhappy about a social media post by Erich that likened their romance to that of late INXS star Michael Hutchence and Kylie Minogue. The report suggests Hewitt viewed this comparison as a "pointed jab" and a "bold move."
An insider told the magazine that Hewitt "took that post as a little dig at him. He’s never been completely comfortable with their relationship, so seeing Vanda compare himself and Mia to Kylie and Michael may have rubbed him the wrong way." The source added that Hewitt is questioning whether Erich was intentionally trying to provoke him.
Mia, an indie musician, has been dating Erich, the frontman of the band Liquid Zoo, for over two years. The couple reportedly bonded over their shared love for the music industry. Mia herself is a performer in a folk-rock duo called Father's Favourite.
The news comes after Mia and Erich were seen displaying affection at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Photos and reports from the outing showed the couple kissing, cuddling, and embracing on the sand, with Mia also seen giving Erich a piggyback ride.
Mia has previously spoken about her upbringing in the public eye, explaining that her parents, actress Bec Hewitt and Lleyton Hewitt, worked to shield her and her siblings from media attention as she developed her own identity. Mia was born in 2005, and she has two younger siblings, Cruz and Ava.