De Minaur’s touching message to Hewitt after epic all-Aussie clash
Alex de Minaur defeated 17-year-old Cruz Hewitt in the second round of the Washington Open. The match was notable due to the close personal relationship between the two Australian players.
Why it matters
The match highlights the generational transition in Australian tennis and the personal connections within the professional circuit.
shares Share article Alex de Minaur has knocked rising teenage Aussie star Cruz Hewitt out of the Washington Open in the second round.
The 27-year-old went up against the 17-year-old son of tennis legend Lleyton on Friday morning and was victorious 6-2, 6-3 to reach the third round.
Alex de Minaur of Australia and Cruz Hewitt of Australia embrace following their men’s singles match. Getty Images
It is Hewitt’s ATP Tour tournament debut.
The pair have been close for Hewitt’s entire life given Lleyton has worked closely with de Minaur and mentored him throughout his career.
“We’re going to play (each other) for the next 10 years of our lives,” de Minaur said to Hewitt after their match.
The world No.6 admitted it was strange playing against someone who has basically been a little brother to him.
“It was definitely weird,” De Minaur said in his on-court interview.
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