My dad is a two-time Grand Slam winner and Australian Open finalist.. now I am making my own way after wildcard chance
CRUZ HEWITT is hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps and make it as a Grand Slam champion.
The 15-year-old’s dad is former world No1 and 2002 Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt.
Cruz has been handed a wildcard into the Australian Open junior tournament.
It will be the teenager’s first appearance at a Grand Slam event when it gets underway on January 20.
His chance comes exactly 25 years after his father made his junior debut at the age of 14.
Cruz has been making waves on the youth circuit for some time, winning three titles last year.
He has been trying to qualify for senior ITF events but has fallen short on two occasions.
Although he is learning from the best, recently practising with world No10 Alex de Minaur.
The wonderkid has been dubbed a lookalike of his dad due to him also having distinctive blonde hair and playing in a baseball cap.
Hewitt Sr, 42, won the US Open in 2001, beating Pete Sampras in the final.
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He then lifted the Wimbledon trophy a year later as he demolished David Nalbandian and Tim Henman on his way to victory.
The Aussie made the final of his home Grand Slam in 2005, losing to Marat Safin.
Since retiring, Lleyton has worked as a coach and pundit.
He has three kids with wife Bec – Cruz, Mia and Ava.