MELBOURNE: Todd Woodbridge has staunchly defended the Australian Open's decision to hand Cruz Hewitt a wildcard into the qualifying draw and rubbished any suggestions of nepotism.
Hewitt, the 16-year-old son of tennis legend Lleyton, was one of four Aussies to receive a qualifying wildcard, along with Bernard Tomic, Alex Bolt and Jason Kubler.
Cruz was last week beaten 6-1, 6-4 by former world No.16 Nikoloz Basilashvili – a hardened professional from Georgia who is twice his age.
Watch the Australian Open live & free on the 9Network & 9Now. Stan Sport is the only place to watch every match ad-free, live & on demand with centre court in 4K
Cruz Hewitt of Australia plays a backhand during a practice session. Getty
"Cruz is in these positions because he is a very, very good, talented young player and one of our best here in Australia," doubles icon Woodbridge said on Nine's coverage while sitting next to Lleyton on Tuesday.
"He deserves every opportunity that he's got to be there. So some people would like to say other(wise), I know you (Lleyton) have to deal with that and you shouldn't have to, so I am just putting it out there – he deserves to be there."
Cruz is ranked 1263 in the world and is the 60th ranked junior.
LIVE UPDATES: Australian Open 2025, day 3 results
Jannik Sinner of Italy and Cruz Hewitt of Australia shake hands following a practice session. Getty
He is also lapping up the opportunity to practice with some of the best in the business in Melbourne.
"It's a long journey but I was excited to watch him play out there," Lleyton said.
"He obviously had a pretty tough draw playing Basilashvili, a former world No.16 on the tour as well, a guy who made the final of Indian Wells.
Lleyton and Cruz Hewitt play doubles during a training session with Alex de Minaur. Getty
"For Cruz to be around these guys, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur – he is always around as well. Unbelievable role models for him to see how they prepare, going through all the right steps leading into these big matches, but such nice guys as well.
"He is going well at the moment and it makes me pretty excited when I see him hit with some of these absolute world class players and the best guys going around and he can actually give them a good enough hit out there.
"I get nervous watching his matches, in practice it's not too bad because I know what he's capable of. It's like watching Davis Cup matches, I much prefer to be out there in control of what I'm doing."
