Former world No. 1 tennis player Lleyton Hewitt marked his comeback to the sport after an almost six-year retirement by partnering with his 16-year-old son, Cruz, in a remarkable win. The father-son duo dominated their match against Hayden Jones and Pavle Marinkov, triumphing 6-1, 6-0 in a swift 48 minutes.
Securing a wildcard entry into the main draw of the NSW Open, a Challenger event in Sydney, Hewitt and his son capitalized on the opportunity. Displaying his signature style with a backward cap, Hewitt, a two-time Grand Slam champion, alongside his son, defended all four break points, swiftly advancing to the quarter-finals.
Despite his last singles appearance in 2016 and formal retirement from doubles at the 2020 Australian Open, Hewitt showcased his prowess on the court without any signs of rustiness during the recent match. The 44-year-old displayed comfort on the Ken Rosewall Arena, sealing the victory with a decisive net winner.
Even post-retirement, Hewitt has been actively involved in tennis as the captain of Australia’s Davis Cup team, actively supporting his son, Cruz, as he establishes his own tennis career. Cruz, a rising talent, has participated in junior Grand Slam events and is gaining recognition on the Challenger circuit.
Recently, Cruz faced some challenges on the court, including a loss in the men’s Australian Open qualifying rounds. However, he has been making steady progress at the Challenger level. Notably, he secured his first Challenger-level victory in Brisbane against James McCabe before falling to Wu Tung-lin in a competitive match.
With a current ranking of No. 759, Cruz has been showcasing his skills, defeating fellow Australian Omar Jasika and then engaging in a tough match against Matsuoka Hayato. Following his singles matches, Cruz teamed up with his father for doubles, advancing to the quarter-finals where they are scheduled to compete against another Australian duo, Calum Puttergill and Dane Sweeny.
In a related development, Sky has announced a discounted price for its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the upcoming 2025/26 season, offering substantial savings and an expanded coverage of over 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL, and more. Sky plans to broadcast a minimum of 215 live Premier League games in the upcoming season, an increase from the previous season.