Australian tennis icon Lleyton Hewitt spent the anniversary of one of the biggest moments of his career on a tennis court, competing alongside his son. On the same date he became World #1 in 2001, the former champion teamed up with Cruz Hewitt to record a dominant straight-sets win over Hayden Jones and Pavle Marinkov in a relaxed but engaging doubles match at the Sydney Challenger.
Hewitt, now 43, still showed the clean ball-striking and sharp instincts that defined his career, while Cruz continued to display the steady growth that has people quietly optimistic about his development. Their communication was intuitive and straightforward, no dramatic celebrations, just small nods and steady decision-making point after point.
Jones and Marinkov, two promising Australian prospects, offered little challenge as the Hewitts stayed organised in the cross-court exchanges and sharp at the net, keeping a consistent level throughout to close out the match with a bagel.
For long-time followers of Hewitt’s career, the timing of the match added a gentle layer of meaning. 24 years after he became the youngest male world No. 1 in ATP history, he wasn’t commemorating the moment with speeches or ceremonies, just by playing the sport he still clearly enjoys, this time alongside the next generation of his family.
Hewitt would later achieve a remarkable streak of 75 weeks in the no. 1 spot, then ranking fourth all-time, following Jimmy Connors (160 weeks), Ivan Lendl, and Pete Sampras (that record was since additionally surpassed by Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as well). He was among only five players, along with Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, to hold the no. 1 ranking for over a year as a first-time World no. 1.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
