Cruz Hewitt Secures First ATP Win on Senior Debut

Cruz Hewitt, the 17-year-old son of former world number one Lleyton Hewitt, celebrated a significant milestone by winning his first ATP match during his main singles draw debut at the Washington Open.

In a solid performance, the young Australian defeated American qualifier Marcos Giron with a score of 6-3, 6-4, completing the match in just 74 minutes. This victory comes at a tournament that holds special significance for his father, who claimed the title in 2004.

After the match, Cruz expressed his excitement, stating, "It’s a pretty special moment," reflecting on the inspiration he draws from his father's legacy in the sport. He also emulated his father's iconic celebration move, a right arm bicep curl, after securing the win.

Looking ahead, Cruz could potentially face top seed Alex de Minaur, the defending champion of the Washington Open. His recent success follows a strong performance earlier this year, where he reached the final of the boys' singles at Wimbledon.

Cruz shared that seeing his father's name on the champions' ring during qualifying was an inspiring moment for him, adding to the surreal experience of competing at such a high level. He noted his comfort in being part of the tournament atmosphere, having dreamt of playing at this level for years.