A new generation of sporting royalty was on display at Melbourne Park this week, as Cruz Hewitt, the 17-year-old son of tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt, was seen enjoying a match alongside some very famous friends: Roger Federer's twin daughters.
A Star-Studded Spectator Box
On Tuesday, during the Australian Open's Men's Singles First Round, Cruz was photographed sitting beside Myla and Charlene Federer, both 16. The identical twins, daughters of the Swiss maestro and his wife Mirka, appeared relaxed and engaged as they watched Italy's Jannik Sinner take on France's Hugo Gaston. Cruz, a budding swimming champion, wore a plain white shirt and brown shorts for the occasion.
The trio were observed sharing warm conversations, laughing, and smiling throughout the match, suggesting a comfortable familiarity. The sighting highlights the close-knit world of elite sport, where the children of champions often forge their own connections.
Cruz's Own Tennis Campaign Ends in Valiant Defeat
The social outing came just after Cruz's own foray onto the Australian Open stage had concluded. The teenager competed in the qualifying tournament, falling in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, to American Michael Zheng, who is ranked 174th in the world.
With his parents, Lleyton and former Home and Away star Bec Hewitt, watching from an outside court, Cruz showed flashes of his father's famous fighting spirit. After losing five consecutive games, he broke back twice in the second set, punctuating the moments with energetic fist pumps and shouts of "come on!" – a clear echo of Lleyton's iconic on-court demeanour.
Despite vocal support from the crowd chanting "Let's go, Hewitt, let's go!", six double faults ultimately proved costly, ending his qualifying campaign.
A Family United by Sport and Sacrifice
The event underscores the Hewitt family's deep immersion in the sporting world. Lleyton, 44, recently inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, publicly praised his wife Bec, 42, for her unwavering support throughout his 20-year career and now their son's emerging journey.
He acknowledged the "grind" of their nomadic lifestyle, stating that Bec had moved their young family across the globe "with grace and elegance" and had been "the rock the whole time." The couple also have two daughters, Mia, 20, and Ava, 15.
While Cruz's future may lie in the swimming pool, his appearance at the grand slam – both as a competitor and a spectator in illustrious company – firmly places him within the next wave of sporting legacy.
