Lleyton Hewitt is heading back to where it all started for him - Sydney. The former world no. 1 and the Australian Davis Cup captain will officially return to professional tennis next week.
The winner of 30 ATP titles will step onto the court at the Sydney Challenger alongside his 16-year-old son, Cruz, returning to action for the first time since the 2020 Australian Open.
Multiple Major champion will embrace his first professional duties in nearly six years in the city that has defined some of the most meaningful chapters of his life.
The Hewitts made headlines with their high-profile 10.3 million return to Sydney at the end of 2023. Lleyton, his wifeand three kids settled into a newly renovated Glenhaven estate, returning to their beloved cityand planning to stay.
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The emotional Hewitt-Sydney return goes beyond real estate. It's a place where Lleyton lifted four trophies at the Sydney International between 2000 and 2006, dominating the field at his beloved event.
Alongside his trophies, the legend defended the national colors at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, although without success. Two decades after his fine runs, Hewitt comes back not as a solo fighter but as a proud father stepping onto the court beside his rising son.
Cruz, one of the leading players born in 2008, arrives at the home Challenger event fresh off his first Challenger victory in Brisbane, becoming the third player born in 2008 to achieve that.
The 16-year-old will embrace doubles duties in Sydney, having received the singles main draw wild card and facing Omar Jasika in the first round. In the match that shouldsteal the spotlight, Cruz will join forces with the player who shaped an era of Australian tennis.
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Their doubles appearance marks a rare generational moment. The former world no. 1 joins forces with the next Hewitt in line in the city where the Hewitt name became a brand.
After countless hours on the practice court, Lleyton and Cruz will join their skills on the professional stage, with two young Aussies standing on the other side of the net.
