Alex de Minaur may have ended Cruz Hewitt’s dream run at the Washington Open, but it was what happened after the final point that left Australian tennis fans smiling.
The world No. 6 and defending champion defeated the 17-year-old rising star 6-2, 6-3 to book his place in the quarter-finals, but the result was only part of the story. After embracing Hewitt at the net, de Minaur delivered a heartfelt tribute that reflected just how special the occasion had been.
“It was definitely weird,” de Minaur admitted after the match.
“I knew I was going to play him on the Tour some day, but I didn’t actually expect it to be this week.
“It was an amazing feeling. Even all the lead-up, seeing all the incredible pictures that we have together and how we’ve both grown up.”
The pair’s connection stretches back more than a decade. As the son of former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, Cruz has grown up around the Australian tennis team, with de Minaur becoming something of an older brother and mentor along the way. The two have practised together countless times, spent Christmases together and shared years of memories before finally meeting on the ATP Tour.
On court, de Minaur’s experience proved decisive. He raced through the opening set before Hewitt settled into the contest, showing flashes of the talent that has already taken him to a Wimbledon boys’ final and earned him his first ATP Tour victory earlier this week.
Rather than focus on the scoreline, however, de Minaur was quick to praise the teenager’s future.
“I’m glad I managed to get through, but I’m sure we’re going to have many battles in the years to come,” he said.
For Hewitt, the loss brought an end to a breakthrough week that has announced him as one of Australia’s brightest young prospects. After fighting through qualifying and claiming his maiden ATP Tour win, the teenager leaves Washington with valuable ranking points, confidence and the experience of sharing centre court with one of his closest mentors.
As de Minaur continues his title defence, Australian tennis supporters can take heart from something even bigger than one result. One generation is still leading the way, while another is already knocking on the door – and judging by the warmth between them, the future of Australian tennis looks to be in very good hands.
Images: Instagram
