Alex de Minaur could play against Lleyton Hewitt’s son at the Washington Open this year.
De Minaur is the defending Washington Open champion, having beaten Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the 2025 final.
The Australian will be hoping to defend his title in the US capital, but De Minaur has a tough opener against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
If De Minaur is able to beat Tsitsipas, he could face Lleyton Hewitt’s son, Cruz Hewitt, after he came through qualifying to reach the Washington Open main draw.
Alex de Minaur once lived with Lleyton Hewitt at 18 years old
Cruz Hewitt reached the Wimbledon junior final earlier this month, and he has continued his form by qualifying for his first ATP tournament.
This means that the 17-year-old is now one win away from playing De Minaur, with fellow qualifier Marcos Giron standing in his way.
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De Minaur and Cruz Hewitt are very familiar with one another, and have even shared the same house.
When De Minaur was in between Spain and Australia as a teenager, Lleyton Hewitt welcomed him into the family home to stay.
Lleyton Hewitt has also been a mentor to De Minaur, particularly as Australia’s Davis Cup captain, and the respect between the two is clear to see.
When speaking about Lleyton Hewitt at the 2018 Australian Open, De Minaur was full of praise for the two-time Grand Slam champion.
“He’s taught me to believe in myself, believe in my game, just show what I can do out on court,” De Minaur said in his press conference at the time.
“He’s obviously helped me with different types of scenarios, tactics. Just being there in my corner. He’s been an incredible help. I couldn’t be more thankful.”
De Minaur added, “I grew up watching him play. Something that always stood out was just his competitive spirit, his willingness not to give up, to fight every ball until the last. That’s what I want to apply to my game. That’s what I’m trying to do every day.”
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The incredible statistic that has come out at the Washington Open this year
Cruz Hewitt is actually not the only son of a former ATP player who is competing in the main draw of the Washington Open this year.
Joining Cruz are both Ben Shelton and Martin Damm Jr, the sons of former tennis players Bryan Shelton and Martin Damm.
Lleyton Hewitt, Bryan Shelton and Martin Damm all competed alongside each other at one point, having all been at the 1997 Australian Open,
Despite the incredible full circle statistic, it will be a tournament that they will want to forget as Lleyton Hewitt, Bryan Shelton and Martin Damm all lost in the first round of the Australian Open that year.
Cruz Hewitt, Ben Shelton and Martin Damm Jr will be hoping for a different outcome in Washington D.C., where the main draw begins on Monday, July 27.
