London: Cruz Hewitt will have to wait a little longer to join his father as a Wimbledon champion.
The 17-year-old rising star, who grew up in front of Australia from the time he was a toddler following Lleyton around in his final days as a player, fell agonisingly short in the boys’ singles final on Sunday, losing 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 to American qualifier Jordan Lee.
Hewitt eliminated four seeded opponents in a row on his way to the final and had a break point to go 4-1 up in the deciding set on Wimbledon’s court No.1, but could not deny his impressive 16-year-old opponent.
He had not dropped a set in his five victories this week while bidding to become Australia’s first boys’ champion at the grasscourt grand slam since Luke Saville in 2011. Ash Barty won the girls’ title the same year.
Instead, Hewitt had to settle for being runner-up, as Alex de Minaur did in 2016.
“It was a very special week for me. I think I played some good tennis,” Hewitt said.
“I was happy with my level, and to make the final and be able to play on this beautiful court was unreal. I obviously grew up around this tournament, seeing my dad play, and it’s been a privilege to play on any court here.”
Hewitt, ranked No.606 on the men’s tour, told this masthead at the start of the week that he hoped to be inside the top 300 by year’s end.
He will discuss with his team what his tournament schedule looks like from here, but one goal is to do enough in the months ahead to potentially score an Australian Open main draw wildcard in January.
“That would be the dream, and that’s a big goal of mine,” Hewitt said. “I feel like I have shown my level.”
Junior players, even in a final, would not normally go close to filling a stadium that seats more than 12,000, but there is nothing typical about a teenager in Hewitt’s situation whose father won two grand slam men’s titles and was the youngest world No.1 until Carlos Alcaraz beat that record.
Hewitt understandably displayed more nerves and emotions than in his earlier matches, including stumbling while trying to serve the first set out at 5-2. That coincided with Lee raising his level significantly.
Hewitt’s dad mostly cut a relaxed figure in his son’s player box, alongside former player and Davis Cup assistant Jaymon Crabb, coach Wayne Arthurs, mum Bec, sister Ava, agent Jedd Zetzer and Davis Cup team manager Kathryn Oyeniyi.
But Lleyton knew when he was needed. Serving for the set a second time, Hewitt made it to 40-15 – and Lleyton leapt out of his chair to encourage his son.
One point later, he was up again, fist-pumping like in his heyday, as Hewitt secured a one-set lead.
The second set started how the latter stages of the first ended, with Lee increasingly winning his share, or more, of the points. The American provided a different look for Hewitt, standing further back on return to blunt the serving impact that carried him to the final.
There was some drama in the second game of the second set, when – with Hewitt facing break point – he desperately chased down a ball, but did not make it on time.
A review, requested by Hewitt, confirmed the double bounce.
The young Australian grabbed the break back, but handed it over again on a double fault. Lee also had consecutive set points on Hewitt’s serve at 3-5, only for the son-of-a-gun to wriggle out of trouble. It was then Lee’s turn to show some frailty, committing some loose errors while failing to serve the set out.
Twice, Hewitt had points for five-all, but Lee ripped a superb backhand winner after an engrossing baseline exchange to bring up a fourth set point.
Hewitt’s backhand subsequently faltered, but only after one of Lee’s shots barely caught the back of the line.
Losing the set provided a new challenge Hewitt had not dealt with this week. His response was perfect, and another illustration of how far he has come. Lee fell 0-40 behind, then saved one break point before the Australian blasted a terrific down-the-line backhand that was never coming back.
Both Arthurs and Lleyton instantly jumped to their feet to pass on instructions to Hewitt at that moment.
Hewitt almost snatched a security break at 3-1, but Lee fought hard to hold and stay in touch, which soon became critical.
A lucky net cord in the eighth game went Lee’s way and cramped Hewitt, who could not get the ball back over the net. Down break point, Hewitt dumped a backhand into the net to leave the final set locked at four-all.
The tension suddenly soared, and Hewitt made his move again, upping the ante on a crosscourt forehand to overpower the American and bring up his own break point. But Lee escaped once more to take his first lead in the final set.
They traded service holds before a stray Hewitt backhand at 5-6 was the beginning of the end. A double fault – his uncharacteristic ninth – followed, after which Hewitt sought his dad’s advice. But he was soon 0-40 down, then watched Lee blitz a brilliant backhand winner to claim the title.
Marc McGowan travelled to London with Tennis Australia’s support.
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