Tennis News 2026: Cruz Hewitt qualifies for Washington ATP tournament; Could face Alex de Minaur
Cruz Hewitt has taken the next big step in his development as a tennis player, booking a main draw slot in an ATP Tour event in America.
It comes following the 17-year-old’s run to the final of the Wimbledon junior singles earlier this month.
17-year-old Cruz Hewitt has played his last junior tournament. Getty Images
The sound of Lleyton HewittCruz earned a qualifying spot into the Masters 500 tournament in Washington DC, after his American opponent retired hurt in the third set.
Hewitt fought back after dropping the first set to local US hope Zachary Svajda 1-6. The Aussie took the second set in a tiebreaker before the retirement of the world No.73.
The ATP Tour tournament is loaded, featuring top American seeds Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, Italian Lorenzo Musetti as well as Aussie Alex de Minaur.
And Hewitt could find himself facing the top Aussie seed in the second round, if he is able to get through American 33-year-old Marcos Giron in the first round.
Nearly twice his age, it will prove to be a great learning opportunity for the rising Australian regardless.
Hewitt will take home $27,000 for making it to the main draw of the tournament and will jump nearly 100 spots up the ATP rankings towards the top 500. He currently sits at 615.
De Minaur has drawn an awkward match-up in the first round of the tournament, facing off against Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Fellow Australian Alexander Vukic will also take part in the tournament and face off against Svajda, who was granted a lucky loser entry spot despite his qualifying withdrawal.
The tournament main draw gets underway on Tuesday (AEST), with Hewitt and De Minaur’s matches yet to be scheduled.
