Cruz Hewitt has fallen agonisingly short in the Wimbledon boys final, but he hopes this is just the beginning of his rise in the tennis world as he makes a name for himself.
The 17-year-old was the first Australian to make a Wimbledon boys final since Alex de Minaur in 2016, but suffered the same fate as the Demon a decade ago as he lost 4-6 6-4 7-5 to American Jordan Lee.
It’s 24 years since his father Lleyton Hewitt won the Wimbledon men’s singles title and Cruz’s parents rode every shot with him in the final on Court No. 1 in front of a large crowd.
The Aussie teenager came came out firing, taking the first set in just over half an hour.
But from that point on the match turned into a dogfight — double faults and unforced errors began to mount for Hewitt, while Lee lifted his game, turning the screws and claiming the win by breaking Hewitt to love.
Cruz was aiming to become the first Australian to win a junior grand slam title since Alexei Popyrin at the 2017 French Open and the first Aussie junior Wimbledon champion since Ash Barty and Luke Saville won the double in 2011.
After de Minaur’s fourth round exit, Hewitt quickly became the Australian story at Wimbledon as he surpassed most expectations to win five matches to reach the final, having never previously made it past the second round at a junior grand slam.
“A very special week for me,” Cruz said on court after the final.
“I played some good tennis. I’m happy with my level and to make the final on this beautiful court, it’s been really unreal.”
He added: “I grew up around this tournament seeing my dad play, seeing this court for many years now. It’s a privilege to play on any court here and being around all the fans. Thanks everyone for coming out.”
With his father and 2002 Wimbledon champion Lleyton sitting in his player’s box, it was impossible to escape the father-son narrative and comparisons to his dad.
The “Come on!” fist pumps and mop of blond hair are eerily similar to a young Lleyton. While Cruz doesn’t yet cover the court as well as his old man did, he possesses the height and weapons including a 200km/h serve that can do damage on tour.
Hewitt reveals what’s next
After a huge breakthrough, focus immediately turns to his next goal, which he said would be to make the men’s main draw of the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
“That would be the dream, that’s a big goal of mine,” he said of possibly being granted a wildcard at Melbourne Park next year.
Cruz has been playing pro tour events this season and he told reporters he probably would not play another junior boys level tournament.
6-year-old Cruz Hewitt hits with Roger Federer
Cruz Hewitt has won through to the…
Source: News.com.au
Cruz has been a popular figure at the All England Club with Roger Federer’s children cheering him on and he revealed he had spoken to the Swiss maestro around the grounds in London.
“He’s a very nice guy,” he said.
Footage resurfaced this week of a six-year-old Cruz hitting with Federer, and a decade on the blonde-haired youngster has made his mark at Wimbledon.
“I did see that, that was pretty crazy,” he said.
“That was a kid with a dream to play at Wimbledon and make the final. It makes me appreciate what I’ve done this week and to be proud of myself. Seeing that, I think that little kid would be happy.”
Recap Cruz Hewitt’s Wimbledon final below.
9:13 PM
Jul 12, 2026
PINNED
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Heartbreak for Cruz Hewitt at Wimbledon
It’s a heartbreaking result for Cruz Hewitt, with American qualifier Jordan Lee claiming a 4-6 6-4 7-5 victory in a thrilling Wimbledon boys final.
The third set was headed for a tiebreak but at 5-6 down, Cruz was broken to love to lose the match in brutal fashion.
He quickly found himself 0-40 down with three unforced errors and Lee only needed one match point to claim the victory with a backhand winner.
As Lee ran to his team to celebrate in the crowd, Hewitt sat on his chair with his head in his hands before composing himself.
9:26 PM
Jul 12, 2026
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Cruz all class in defeat
Cruz Hewitt was all class paying tribute to Jordan Lee in the post-match presentation.
“First off I just want to congratulate Jordan, excellent week. You played some really good tennis and it was a great battle today,” Cruz said.
“A very special week for me. I think I played some good tennis as well. I’m happy with my level and to make the final on this beautiful court, it’s been really unreal.”
He added: “I grew up around this tournament seeing my dad play, seeing this court for many years now. It’s a privilege to play on any court here and being around all the fans. Thanks everyone for coming out.”
8:43 PM
Jul 12, 2026
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Third set going down to wire
Cruz Hewitt trails 6-5 in the final set against Jordan Lee.
The Aussie settled after a shaky second set and got the early break in the third set before consolidating with a solid service game, giving him the edge in the decider.
But Lee broke back to make it all square at 4-4 before holding serve to take a 5-4 lead.
Cruz ripped an ace before Lee played some seriously classy points to lead 6-5.
8:31 PM
Jul 12, 2026
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Final heading to a decider
We’re going to a third and deciding set in the Wimbledon boys final after Jordan Lee took the second set 6-4 in nearly 50 minutes of tense tennis.
Showing some nerves, Cruz Hewitt dropped his level but managed to break back and had a chance to serve to stay in set, only to be broken again.
Serving at 5-4, Hewitt had a double fault and hit the ball into the net at least four times, before Lee out-pointed him in two gruelling rallies to win the set.
Hewitt has eight double faults for the match.
8:05 PM
Jul 12, 2026
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Fans warned by umpire
Court No. 1, the second biggest court at Wimbledon, is filling up nicely as fans get a taste of tennis before the men’s final on the last day of Wimbledon.
One of the quirks of The Championships is spectators are allowed to bring bottles of champagne into the courts. One over eager fan was heard popping a cork as a point ended during Cruz Hewitt’s match, prompting the umpire to give fans a reminder.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as a courtesy to both players, please try and wait until the change of ends before opening any bottles of champagne,” the umpire said.
7:56 PM
Jul 12, 2026
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Cruz in strife, double bounce drama
Jordan Lee has upped the ante in the second set, ripping some forehands as we see the best rallies of the match so far.
Lee has a powerful forehand and a backhand slice that is proving tricky to deal with, and Cruz Hewitt is coughing up some unforced errors.
There was a moment of confusion early in the set when the ball appeared to bounce a second time just before Cruz’s racquet got to it, but the point continued and the Aussie won it.
Lee questioned the umpire, who explained his microphone wasn’t working when he said “not up” and awarded Lee the point. Cruz reviewed it but replays showed it clearly bounced twice and Lee broke serve to take a 2-0 lead in the second set.
7:43 PM
Jul 12, 2026
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Cruz takes first set
Cruz Hewitt is one set away from the Wimbledon boys title after he took the first set 6-4 against American youngster Jordan Lee.
There were a few nervy moments towards the end of the set but the 17-year-old moved Lee around the court with his powerful serve and groundstrokes.
His player’s box rose to their feet as one as Cruz clinched the opening set and he yelled “Come on!”, just like his dad.
He had two aces and two double faults, and crucially converted his two break point opportunities.
7:16 PM
Jul 12, 2026
Hewitt makes strong start to final
We’re underway in the sunshine on Court No.1 for the Wimbledon boys final between Cruz Hewitt and the USA’s Jordan Lee.
Lee served first and survived a couple of nervy moments to hold, before Hewitt raced through his first service game, holding to love.
Hewitt broke Lee’s serve twice in a row to race out to a 4-1 lead in the first set, making a perfect start to the match.
The Aussie teen had his first wobble leading 5-2, having his serve broken when he sent a couple of forehands long.
5:26 PM
Jul 12, 2026
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Cruz’s famous Federer fan club
Cruz Hewitt is proving a hit with fans, who have been stopping him for autographs after his matches at Wimbledon this week.
Roger Federer’s kids were keen spectators of his semi-final win over Thijs Boogaard – Cruz gave the four Federer kids a hug after his victory and was congratulated by Roger’s wife Mirka.
There’s clearly a bond between the families and Cruz struck up a friendship with Federer’s twin daughters at the Australian Open this year.
5:19 PM
Jul 12, 2026
Who is Cruz Hewitt playing in the final?
Cruz Hewitt will be the favourite to win the final, where he takes on 16-year-old American qualifier Jordan Lee on Court 1.
Lee has gone viral for his resemblance to Spanish football star Yamine Lamal and has won four titles on the World Tennis Tour Juniors.