Cruz Hewitt has fallen short of a clinching a Wimbledon title 24 years after dad Lleyton’s greatest moment

As Cruz Hewitt reflected on a loss to American sensation Jordan Lee in the Wimbledon boys’s final on Sunday, the Australian vowed to dedicate himself to returning to the All England Club as a contender for the main crown.

With his famous father and Australia’s most recent male Wimbledon champion Lleyton urging the 17-year-old on, Hewitt performed admirably against Lee but could not sustain the momentum when beaten 4-6 6-4 7-5 in 2hr 02min.

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Hewitt, who held a 4-2 lead in the deciding set but struggled to serve at the high level he managed throughout an outstanding week on the grass, hopes his run to the final has demonstrated he is capable of stepping out from his dad’s giant shadow.

While the world No.606 has to lift his ranking significantly before he can even secure a spot in Wimbledon qualifying, let alone the main draw, he would love his next grand slam appearance to be in the main draw of the Australian Open.

“That would be the dream and that’s a big goal of mine,” he said.

“I feel like I … have showed my level, but at the end of the day … that would be a dream to have (a wildcard).”

It has been a big week for the Sydneysider, who was seeking to join greats including Roger Federer and Bjorn Borg as winners of the prestigious junior event and also end a drought dating back to Australia’s last boys’ champion Luke Saville in 2011.

He chatted with Federer but would not pass on whether he had received any advice from the eight-time champion, and was supported throughout the week by the Swiss legends’ twin daughters, though they were not in attendance for the decider.

Hewitt also practised with hometown hero Arthur Fery before his men’s semi-finals appearance against Alexander Zverev and then hit with his dad Lleyton, a former world No.1 and dual-major champion, on the morning of his match against Lee.

After the final, the teenager was asked about a video of him hitting with Federer, a 20-time major winner, when he was a toddler that has recirculated on social media over the past week given his run to the decider in London.

“I did see that. That was pretty crazy. You know, that was a kid with a dream to play at Wimbledon and make the final,” he said.

“So when I do think about that, (it) does make me appreciate what I’ve done this week and to be proud of myself. I think that’s one of the things you (have got) to do at the end of the day. But seeing that, I think that little kid would be happy.”

Hewitt said he felt nerves as he stepped on to Court No.1, a stadium court that filled to near its 12,345 seat capacity, but settled in well against his 16-year-old rival who resembles Spanish soccer star Lamine Yamal.

Although the Aussie talent seized the opening set, the first real signs of trouble came with Lee was able to retrieve one of two service breaks in the latter stages before dominating the second, using his withering forehand to punish the Aussie.

It is this forehand that has seen Lee, the youngest player in the field, likened to Carlos Alcaraz, with America’s top-ranked man and world No.6 Ben Shelton a regular practice partner in Orlando who has no doubt about his potential.

“I live in Orlando and train near the USTA national centre, so I constantly see 16 or 17-year-old guys training (and) for me, that’s the most special part, being able to share the court with them and help them a bit,” Shelton said at Roland Garros.

“I remember perfectly what it meant for me to train with professionals when I was young. There are very good players that the public doesn’t know yet. Jordan Lee, for example, is one of those guys who has impressed me a lot.”

Those who watched the manner Lee fought back from a 2-4 deficit in the deciding set in the boys’ final could not help but be impressed either, with the youngster admirably holding his nerve to deny the powerful Australian.

With tennis luminaries including a famous Bryan brother in attendance, Lee was able to seize the triumph with a thunderous backhand winner that drew a standing ovation.

Hewitt was dismayed after the narrow loss and sat with his head down for several moments as his rival celebrated with a dance in the middle of the court borrowed from Manchester United Matheus Cunha to satisfy a friend’s pre-match request.

But the right-hander received a standing ovation himself when accepting the runner-up trophy and delivered a measured acceptance speech which also drew applause from fans thrilled at witnessing a match of such quality.

“I feel like I played some really good tennis and it was just a great battle today,” Hewitt said.

“(It was a) very special week for me. I think I played some good tennis as well, and I am happy with my level and just (to be) able to make the final.

“Obviously I grew up around this tournament (and I have) seen my dad play, seen this court for many years now, and … it’s been a privilege to play on (this beautiful) court here, being around all the fans.”

Hewitt said later he is the type of athlete who learns more from losses than victories. While proud of reaching the boys’ final, he hopes the experience will only serve as a stepping stone towards becoming the “best player” he can be.

“I think it’s not when you lose, it’s when you learn. I feel I’ve heard that a lot and I do believe it. I definitely learn a lot more than from the wins,” he said.

“(I’m) not too sure what the next steps are. We’ll talk with my team and we’ll reassess and reset what we’re going to do next. But hopefully we can build on this week.”

The Australian is in good company as a beaten finalist, for his occasional hitting partner and current world No.6 Alex de Minaur was runner-up a decade ago in the boys’ final to Denis Shapovalov.

Although Bjorg, Federer, Swede Stefan Edberg and Aussie great Pat Cash have followed junior success at Wimbledon by winning the men’s championships, it has been a curse for the past three decades.

Federer in 1998 is the last boy’s winner to follow up in the senior ranks, though Grigor Dimitrov, Gael Monfils and Shapovalov have all reached the top 10.

But Hewitt demonstrated in the final, and with wins over several extremely talented rivals over the past week, that he has the firepower to give him a chance of making a successful transition to senior ranks.

“I don’t think anything changes really,” he said.

“ I feel like my goal is obviously to be the best tennis player I can be (and) I think that just starts (by) showing up each day, no matter if it’s training, a match or …. in the gym. But I feel like I still have the same goals, and that’s to be the best player I can be.”

Follow Cruz Hewitt in the Wimbledon boys singles final live below!