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Australian Open 2025 will once again feature a Hewitt as Llyeton Hewitt's son, Cruz, has received a wildcard to compete in the qualifying rounds. The high-profile wildcard attracted a lot of attention from fans, and many were unhappy with the decision.
Cruz Hewitt has been making headlines in the tennis world despite being in his junior years. The 16-year-old competed in the 2024 Australian Open Juniors via a main draw wildcard and lost in the opening round. Now, he will vie for a berth in the senior's competition at the year's first Grand Slam and has been awarded a qualifying round wildcard.
Currently ranked World No. 1264, he is the lowest-ranked qualifying wildcard awardee at the event. Fans reacted to the news on social media, with many disapproving of the decision for various reasons. Some noted that Cruz did not deserve even the qualifying wildcard because he has not made any significant progress in his career and is ranked outside the top 1000.
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"Cruz hasn’t made an impact on the tour. It ain’t happening," a fan wrote.
"Sorry but not deserved. Look at his ranking. He hasn’t made an impact his tennis career isn’t happening. The WC should go to someone DESERVING," commented another fan.
"Ridiculous. Ranking of 1264," a fan said.
Others speculated that nepotism led to Cruz Hewitt getting a qualifying-round wildcard at the Australian Open, given his father Lleyton's reputation in Australian tennis. A fan opined that the entire situation does not bode well for the event's reputation.
"Current ATP ranking of 1264...I wonder why he got the WC..." a fan wondered.
"Nepotism at its finest. Lost in the 1st round convincingly of the AO Juniors tournament," another fan wrote on X.
"What an utter joke! Nepotism at its finest! Lleyton should be fired for abusing his power and allowing this to happen. Yet the media won’t say sh*t. Pathetic for not looking into this matter," a fan said.
A fan used Cruz Hewitt's wildcard as evidence that wildcards should be eliminated from Grand Slams altogether. Another noted that Cruz does not need the qualifying round money, which would go a long way for any other player.
"Hewitt getting a WC reinforces my anti WC at slams agenda," a fan wrote.
"Does buddy really need the R1 loss qualifying money. Come on guys," another fan said.
Simona Halep also receives Australian Open 2025 qualifying wildcard
Cruz Hewitt was among 18 players who received a wildcard to compete in the 2024 Australian Open's qualifying rounds. Former WTA World No. 1 Simona Halep, currently ranked world No. 877, was the highest-profile recipient. Halep's career was derailed after the doping scandal in 2022-23. Since returning to the tour in 2024, she has only competed in two tournaments.
The Romanian is a former Australian Open finalist, finishing runner-up to Caroline Wozniacki in 2018. In her most recent appearance in Melbourne in 2022, Halep reached the fourth round. Other women's wildcard recipients include Renata Jamrichova, the 2024 Australian Open Juniors champion, and World No. 236 Astra Sharma.
On the men's side, World No. 321 Marc Polmans is the highest-ranked wildcard awardee. 2024 Australian Open Juniors champion Rei Sakamoto will also feature in the qualifying round for the senior tournament this year via a wildcard.
