Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt's much-anticipated return to professional tennis alongside his 16-year-old son Cruz has concluded in the quarterfinals of the New South Wales Open challenger tournament. The 44-year-old Australian legend came out of retirement to partner with his teenage son in a unique father-son doubles pairing that captured the attention of the tennis world.
Emotional Comeback Falls Short in Quarterfinals
The Hewitt duo's campaign came to an end against the pairing of Dane Sweeney and Calum Puttergill, who secured a straight-sets victory with scores of 7-5, 6-4. Despite the loss, the match represented a significant achievement for both players, particularly Cruz, who demonstrated he could compete at the professional level alongside his decorated father.
The tournament marked Lleyton Hewitt's first competitive appearance since his retirement in 2016, though he had made occasional doubles appearances in 2019 and 2020. What made this comeback particularly special was the opportunity to share the court with his son, creating a memorable chapter in Australian tennis history.
Dominant Start to Father-Son Partnership
Earlier in the tournament, the Hewitt combination had shown impressive form, delivering a commanding 6-1, 6-0 victory over Hayden Jones and Pavle Marinkov. Social media clips circulated widely showing the 44-year-old veteran working his magic at the net and demonstrating that his legendary volleying skills remained sharp despite his lengthy absence from professional competition.
Speaking to tennis.com.au about the unique experience, Hewitt senior expressed the significance of the moment. "It's obviously something pretty unique and special," he said. "It's not too often [that the opportunity arises] and there probably will be a time where I won't be good enough or physically able to play with him. And now he's obviously stepped up to the mark and is good enough to play, so it sort of just crosses over nicely."
Sydney's Special Significance for Hewitt Family
The New South Wales Open held particular importance for the Hewitt family beyond just the tennis. Lleyton highlighted several connections to Sydney, noting that Cruz was born there and that the family maintains numerous connections in the city. The veteran also recalled his own successful history in Sydney, having won four Sydney International titles during his illustrious career.
Hewitt's Sydney memories also include representing Australia at the 2000 Olympic Games and winning the Tennis Masters Cup in 2001 to secure the world number one ranking. These historical connections added layers of meaning to his return to competitive tennis in the city alongside his son.
Cruz Hewitt is one of three children Lleyton shares with his wife, former actress Bec Hewitt. The 16-year-old's performance alongside his two-time Grand Slam champion father suggests he may be following in the footsteps of one of Australia's most celebrated tennis players.
While the quarterfinal defeat ended their tournament run, the Hewitt father-son partnership demonstrated that the champion's competitive spirit remains intact and that the next generation of Australian tennis talent continues to develop under experienced guidance.
