Lleyton Hewitt, a former world No. 1 in tennis, marked a successful comeback to the sport after almost six years of retirement by partnering with his 16-year-old son, Cruz, for an impressive win. The father-son duo dominated their match against Hayden Jones and Pavle Marinkov, triumphing 6-1, 6-0 in just under an hour.
Receiving a wildcard entry into the main draw of the NSW Open in Sydney, a Challenger event, Hewitt and his son showcased their skills effectively. Hewitt, recognized by his trademark backward cap, and Cruz displayed a solid performance, saving all four break points against them and advancing to the quarter-finals swiftly.
Despite his last singles match dating back to 2016, Hewitt only retired from doubles competition officially at the 2020 Australian Open. However, there was no hint of decline in his game during the recent match, as the 44-year-old displayed ease on the Ken Rosewall Arena and sealed the victory with a decisive net winner.
Post-retirement, Hewitt has been actively engaged in tennis, serving as the captain of Australia’s Davis Cup team and supporting his son Cruz, who is establishing himself in the tennis scene. Cruz, a promising talent, has participated in junior Grand Slam events and is now making strides in the Challenger circuit.
In a recent Wimbledon boys’ singles event, Cruz, ranked at No. 759 globally, faced some tension with his father in the stands. Despite a disagreement, Cruz has been progressing in Challenger competitions, including a notable win over James McCabe in Brisbane before falling to Wu Tung-lin in a competitive match.
With a current career-high ranking of No. 759, Cruz demonstrated his potential by defeating fellow Australian Omar Jasika and later engaging in a tight battle against Matsuoka Hayato. Following his singles success, Cruz teamed up with his father to secure a spot in the doubles quarter-finals, where they are scheduled to take on another Australian duo, Calum Puttergill and Dane Sweeny.
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