Cruz Hewitt fails to qualify for Brisbane International as Australian Open opportunity creeps closer

One of Australia's brightest talents is continuing to make positive strides in the sport. Curz Hewitt, son of Lleyton, showed his credentials when attempting to qualify for the Brisbane International. However, he could not get over the line.

The 17-year-old prodigy would lose out to world number 62 Kamil Majchrzak from Poland. It was a tall order for Hewitt, but he looked up to the task in the early stages, breaking the serve of his opponent as he targeted an incredible upset to start the 2026 season. Unfortunately, for him, he would squander a 4-2 lead in the first set, with Majchrzak winning four games on the spin to clinch the first set. It was another close affair in the second, but the Pole showed his experience to fend off the tricky Australian, claiming a late break to win 6-4, 7-5.

While this dashed Hewitt's chances of competing in an ATP main draw for the first time, there is still plenty of opportunities in the future to male his mark in the sport. This could come in the first major of the year, the Australian Open. The world number 735 has got a wildcard into qualifying, with three wins standing between him and the chance of participating in an event that his dad reached the final of back in 2005, losing out to Marat Safin.

Whatever happens, it will be a very cool experience for the teenager, who is looking to continue to build experience in the sport and grow his overall game to eventually compete with the best in the world. After failing to make it through qualifying last year, he will be hoping for a more positive performance this time round. If he manages to make it through the harsh route that is qualifying, then he will be the second youngest man to qualify for the for the Australian Open in history. In first - his dad when he was 15 years and 11 months old, all the way back in 1997 where he was dumped out in the first round.

There were seven Australian wildcards announced to be in qualifying, with Hewitt once again earning the right to participate for a lucrative spot in amongst the best 128 players in the world eyeing up glory. On top of this, Hewitt is the lowest ranked, with a large factor due to his age and lack of time on court compared to his comrades.

Hewitt has a great role model with his father, with him having lifted two Grand Slam titles while being a former world number one with a number of accolades. They stepped out onto the court together in a highly anticipated partnership at a Challenger event in Sydney. They impressed on court, making it all the way through to the quarter-finals before losing out in a tight match.

This experience along with having a former legend of Australian tennis in his camp will ve very positive for his future in the sport. Australian Open qualifying will kick off from January 12, with the main draw commencing from January 18 - February 1.