free website hit counter Cruz Hewitt, Simona Halep gave Australian Open qualifying wild cards – Netvamo

Cruz Hewitt, Simona Halep gave Australian Open qualifying wild cards

Cruz Hewitt, the teenage son of tennis great Lleyton Hewitt, has been given a wildcard into the Australian Open qualifiers as he bids for a grand slam debut.

Hewitt, 16, will attempt to reach the main draw for the first time 28 years after his father made his debut at Melbourne Park as a 15-year-old.

The junior world number 107 debuted in the junior competition last year and was eliminated in the first round.

  • ABC Sport will be blogging the Australian summer of tennis from 27 December

One of Australia’s highest-ranked juniors, Hewitt is expected to feature in the juniors again but will look to step up his transition to senior tennis in 2025.

The comparisons to dad Lleyton will no doubt come with Cruz’s entry, but the tall teenager has so far taken it in his stride.

“It is what it is, but I don’t mind,” he said at this month’s Newcombe Medal.

“It just drives me to get better.”

His father noted the inevitable comparisons: “Oh, they’ve already been there — ever since he picked up a racket.

Lleyton and Cruz Hewitt play tennis

The comparisons will be inevitable as Cruz’s career progresses. (Getty Images: Kelly Defina)

“He’s just got to enjoy it as much as possible and make it fun. He’s done well so far.”

The elder Hewitt went on an inspired run by qualifying as a 15-year-old wildcard in 1997 to reach the first of 20 consecutive main draws.

He went on to become world number one and took titles at the US Open and Wimbledon.

Former world number 17 Bernard Tomic, veteran Jason Kubler and Alex Bolt are also among 10 Australian men given wildcards to qualify.

Loading…

A 32-year-old Tomic is eyeing his first main draw appearance in four years after previously making the fourth round three times.

Omar Jasika has earned a wildcard into the main draw for his red-hot run of ITF form.

World ranking 113 Kimberly Birrell headlines 13 Australian women in the qualifiers.

The likes of Maddison Inglis, Arina Rodionova, Priscilla Hon, Taylah Preston and Destanee Aiava will also push to reach the main draw.

Simona Halep balances a ball

Simona Halep must have thought her career was over. (Getty Images: NurPhoto/Flaviu Buboi)

Former world number one Simona Halep, 33, has also been awarded a qualifying wildcard as she steps up her comeback.

Halep was runner-up at Melbourne Park in 2018 and won major titles at the French Open later that year and at Wimbledon in 2019.

Halep’s career was stalled by a doping ban that was reduced on appeal this year.

Her ranking of 877, due to missing more than a year and a half of tournament play due to her suspension, was too low to gain direct entry into qualifying, hence her wild card.

“The thought of returning to Australia after three years is exciting and I am very grateful to the tournament for this opportunity,” Halep said on ausopen.com.

“I’ve been working hard to get ready for the 2025 season. The Australian Open has provided me with some of the best moments of my career, so I can’t wait to be back in Melbourne and play in front of the Aussie fans.”

AAP/ABC

About admin