Cruz Hewitt and Myla Federer appeared particularly close as they watched the US Open together in New York, adding to growing speculation about the friendship between the children of two of tennis’s most celebrated former champions.
The 17-year-old Australian, son of former world number one Lleyton Hewitt and actress Bec Hewitt, was seated beside Roger Federer’s daughter during Monday night’s session at Flushing Meadows.
The teenagers were pictured smiling and laughing as they chatted, leaned towards one another and looked at their phones during the evening match. Myla’s twin sister, Charlene, and their younger brother Leo were also in the stands.
The group were watching American eighth seed Ben Shelton defeat Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 in the first round at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Hewitt, Myla and Charlene have been seen together repeatedly in recent months, including at the Australian Open in January. The three were also photographed together at Wimbledon in July, when Hewitt warmly greeted the Federer twins before the junior boys’ final.
The attention surrounding the teenagers has been heightened by their family connections. Hewitt is emerging as one of Australia’s promising young players, while Myla and Charlene are the daughters of 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer and his wife, Mirka.
There has been no public confirmation that Cruz and Myla are in a relationship. However, reports in Australian magazine Woman’s Day have suggested that the pair have remained close since childhood.
“It makes sense that Cruz and Myla would at least be mates. Cruz has always been close to Myla and her twin,” an unnamed source told the magazine.
The same source claimed Hewitt was considering relocating to Switzerland, where the Federer family is based, both to develop his tennis and to remain close to the twins. The reports suggested Federer could also become a mentor to the young Australian, although neither family has publicly confirmed plans for such a move.
Cruz Hewitt’s Wimbledon breakthrough
Hewitt’s profile has risen sharply during the past year. In July, he reached the Wimbledon boys’ singles final, becoming the first Australian to make the showpiece match since Alex de Minaur in 2016.
He eventually lost to American Jordan Lee 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, but the run marked a significant step in his development. The International Tennis Federation noted that Hewitt had defeated four seeded players on his way to his first junior Grand Slam final.
Hewitt has previously spoken about the support he receives from his father, who won Wimbledon in 2002 and the US Open in 2001.
“My dad helps me a lot,” he said during his Wimbledon run. “He is in my corner, he coaches a little bit, but he is there for support.”
The teenager has also made clear that he wants to establish a career in his own right rather than simply follow his father’s achievements.
“My dad had a great career, and I am not looking to equal that or do better,” he said. “I just want to have my own career and see how good I can be.”
Any move to Switzerland is understood to have raised concerns for his parents, who are reportedly wary that a change of base and the surrounding attention could distract him from his training.
Lleyton Hewitt has previously described Bec as the anchor of the family after years of moving around the world during his playing career and their son’s emerging tennis journey. The couple also have daughters Mia and Ava.
For now, Cruz’s connection with the Federer family continues to play out at the sport’s biggest tournaments, with the latest reunion at the US Open providing fresh interest around two teenagers whose families have long been linked by tennis.
