The Hewitt name returns to Wimbledon: Cruz reaches junior final 23 years after his father’s title
ATPSaturday, 11 July 2026 at 08:30
The Hewitt name could soon celebrate another Wimbledon title. Twenty-three years after Lleyton Hewitt conquered the All England Club and lifted the men’s singles trophy, his son Cruz is now one victory away from creating his own piece of history on the London grass.
The 17-year-old Australian continued his impressive run at Wimbledon by reaching the boys’ singles final after defeating Dutchman Thijs Boogaard in straight sets, winning 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals. With that victory, Hewitt secured the biggest result of his young career and moved within one match of becoming a Wimbledon champion.
Cruz entered the tournament as one of the most interesting names to follow due to his famous surname, but his performances have ensured that his run is about much more than family history. The Australian has shown maturity throughout the fortnight, combining his aggressive style with the competitive mentality that became a trademark of his father’s career.
Currently ranked No. 606 in the ATP rankings, Hewitt has already started making progress toward the professional circuit, and a Wimbledon junior title would represent another major step in his development. He has also benefited from having Lleyton — a former world No. 1 and 2002 Wimbledon champion — closely involved in his journey.
If Cruz manages to win the final, he will join an elite list of Wimbledon boys’ singles champions that includes future Grand Slam stars such as Roger Federer, Grigor Dimitrov and Ashleigh Barty.
The 1.85m right-hander has one final challenge ahead of him, but regardless of the outcome, his Wimbledon campaign has already placed him among the most talked-about young players at the tournament.
A victory would give the Hewitt family another unforgettable moment at SW19 — more than two decades after Lleyton’s legendary run in 2002 — while allowing Cruz to begin writing a Wimbledon story that belongs entirely to him.
Wimbledon Boys’ Singles Champions & Finalists (Last 10 champions)
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Final score |
| 2015 | Reilly Opelka | Mikael Ymer | 7-6, 6-4 |
| 2016 | Denis Shapovalov | Alex de Minaur | 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 |
| 2017 | Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | Axel Geller | 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2018 | Jack Draper | Zizou Bergs | 1-6, 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2019 | Shintaro Mochizuki | Carlos Gimeno Valero | 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2020 | Not held (COVID-19) | — | — |
| 2021 | Samir Banerjee | Victor Lilov | 7-5, 6-3 |
| 2022 | Gilles Bailly | Viktor Frydrych | 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2023 | Henry Searle | Yaroslav Demin | 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2024 | Nicolai Budkov Kjær | Mees Röttgering | 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2025 | Ivan Ivanov | Ronit Karki | 6-2, 6-3 |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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