Cruz Hewitt, the son of Aussie tennis great Lleyton, may have lost his qualifying match over the weekend, but he’s stunned tennis fans by posting a photo highlighting his incredible growth spurt.
Hewitt had a tough start to the summer of tennis, bundled out in the first round of qualifying at the Canberra International challenger event despite battling hard to stay in the match.
The 16-year-old son of Australian great Lleyton Hewitt suffered a 7-6 (11-9) 6-1 loss to American Brandon Holt on Sunday.
However, fans have been stunned by rate at which the the youngster has shot up in height – which was showcased with a couple of photos posted to Instagram.Â
In one shot, taken at the 2021 Australian Open with world No.3 Carlos Alcaraz, Hewitt only comes up to the superstar’s shoulder.
Three and a half years later, in the second photo with Alcaraz, Hewitt is taller than the 183cm Spaniard.
Cruz Hewitt (pictured with Carlos Alcaraz) has wowed fans with his impressive growth spurt
Hewitt (pictured with the Spaniard in 2001) has shot up in 3.5 years
‘How’s there only 3.5 years between these photos of Lleyton Hewitt’s son and Alcaraz,’ posted tennis influencer Bastien Fachan to X.
‘How’s bro taller than him,’ posted another.
‘You have him for height Cruzza,’ commented a third.
Hewitt’s opponent over the weekend, Holt, also has famous tennis pedigree, with his mother being former women’s world No.1 Tracy Austin.
Holt displayed true grit to fight back from 5-2 in the opening set before saving two set points to snatch the seesawing tiebreaker.
Hewitt was unable to recover but certainly impressed fans with his talent and tenacity.
‘Watching a bit of Cruz Hewitt. Iâm impressed,’ posted tennis journalist Jose Morgado.
Tennis writer Jake Davies posted: ‘Cruz Hewitt, the son of former World No.1 Lleyton, goes out in Canberra qualies 6-7 1-6 to Brandon Holt. Cruz had three set points in the tiebreak and kinda ran out of puff after missed chances. Played a very promising opening set regardless, has some qualities similar to his dad.’
Hewitt (pictured at Melbourne Park earlier in the year) was bundled out in the first round of qualifying at the Canberra International challenger event
The youngster (pictured with his famous parents) will now turn his attention to trying to qualify for the Australian Open
Hewitt will now turn his attention to trying to qualify for the Australian Open starting on January 12.
Twenty-eight years after his father successfully qualified at age 15, Hewitt has been handed a wildcard into the Melbourne Park qualies.
Already toweing over his dad and possessing impressive serving firepower, Hewitt will also contest the Australian Open boys’ singles after crashing out in the first round this year.
The teenager is currently the junior world No.107, but reached as high as No.99 in October and was a nominee for Australian junior male of the year at this month’s Newcombe Medal awards ceremony.
Holt, meanwhile, will play Canadian Alexis Galarneau next for a place in the Canberra main draw.
