​Nineteen years after Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Federer last faced each other at Wimbledon, their families have rekindled a moment of shared nostalgia at the All England Club through a touching interaction. Following in his father’s footsteps, Cruz Hewitt is carving out his own name on grass, having booked a place in the boys’ singles final at this storied Grand Slam. The warm rapport between the Hewitt and Federer clans offers a poignant echo of the pair’s memorable on-court rivalry, which once saw Federer dominate with an 18-9 edge in their head-to-head record and claim all three of their Wimbledon clashes.
Cruz Hewitt has captured attention with an impressive run to the Wimbledon boys’ singles final. After delivering dominant straight-set victories in the earlier rounds, the 17-year-old sealed a 6-4, 6-4 win over Thijs Boogaard in the semifinals to secure a place in the championship match. In the wake of his victory, Hewitt was seen sharing heartfelt hugs with Roger Federer’s twins, Myla Rose and Charlene. Federer himself has become a familiar sight at SW19 as the tournament draws to a close, frequently watching the action from the Royal Box.
In post-match remarks, Hewitt expressed his gratitude to Myla Rose and Charlene for their support, noting that the entire Federer family had been behind him throughout his campaign. “They’ve been supporting me. The whole family, they’ve been really good, so I’m really grateful for them to be out at the matches and coming to support. I’ve obviously known them since our dads played. I know them pretty well, but I appreciate them coming,” he said.
Hewitt, who is being coached by Wayne Arthurs, also emphasized the pivotal role his father continues to play. He revealed that Lleyton Hewitt remains a constant source of guidance and encouragement, providing support as Cruz navigates the pressures of tournament play. “My dad does help me a lot. He’s in my corner. He’s coaching a little bit, but he’s also just there for support. And every time I look over at him, he’s showing me positivity. So that gets me up and about as well. And I use that the best I can,” Cruz explained.
The Australian youngster also shed light on his father’s feelings about his progress. “I think he’s pretty proud. I’m pretty happy. I think he’s happy with how far I’ve come with my mentality, my game style, and yeah, he was pretty happy,” he said, reflecting on Lleyton Hewitt’s reactions to his campaign to date.
Looking ahead, Cruz Hewitt is expected to enjoy continued support from Federer’s daughters when he returns to the court for the boys’ singles final, where he is set to face American Jordan Lee. The championship match is scheduled for Sunday, July 12, and the presence of Federer’s family in the stands adds an extra layer of nostalgia and camaraderie to what promises to be a memorable Wimbledon moment for the Hewitt and Federer clans alike. As Cruz continues to rise, the shared history between the two legends’ families remains a quiet but meaningful backdrop to a budding tennis career that now sits squarely in the Wimbledon spotlight.