Steep learning curve perfect for son-of-a-gun Hewitt

Cruz, who turns 17 on Thursday, has been on a steep learning curve over the past two years as he starts to graduate from the junior tour to senior tennis.

The current ITF world No.69 junior, who climbed as high as No.40 earlier this year, also got a chance to enjoy himself last month when he and Lleyton combined in doubles at the NSW Open ATP Challenger event.

"It's been a great year," Cruz said ahead of being named junior male athlete of the year at Monday night's Newcombe Medal.

"I've obviously learned a lot and I think I've grown into more men's tennis, and I've learned how to play in that way more. A lot of highlights, and it's been really fun.

"I played with my dad as well the other week. That was really fun as well.

"I had a little problem in my hip in Adelaide, but slowly getting back and looking forward to training and giving it my all in AO 2026."

Both Cruz and Lleyton indicated they hadn't decided on the towering teenager's mix of senior and junior playing commitments come January.

"We'll sort of play it by ear," Lleyton said.

"He had a bit of an injury a couple of weeks ago, so he's just sort of getting over that now, and it was probably a good time to sort of just put the racquets down for a little bit anyway.

"So then he'll build up over the next couple of weeks and see where he ends up."

Cruz, currently ranked No.731 in the ATP tour, added: "The main focus is seniors but we'll just see."

He experienced his first senior Australian Open this year, given a wildcard into qualifying where he suffered a straight-sets first-round defeat to Nikoloz Basilashvili in front of a raucous home crowd.

"That helped a lot, that experience," he said.

"I was very lucky to have the crowd on my side. But earlier this year in Melbourne, that was a lot of fun.

"Playing such great players, you learn so much with the mental and also the playing styles.

"So I just tried to learn from it. But it was a great experience playing in front of that crowd."

The older Hewitt, who debuted at Melbourne Park as a 15-year-old, believes it will hold his son in good stead long-term.

"It's great experience. You can even play at futures and challenger levels against very good players and you don't have very big crowds out there at some of those tournaments," he said.

"So to go out in the Australian Open in any match, be it singles, doubles, mixed doubles, whatever and have a big crowd it is a different feeling out there.

"And so I think anytime you can get the opportunity to do that it's important because obviously, if you want to play in the big tournaments, in the big slams and Masters series, you're going to have big crowds."