De Minaur’s touching message to Hewitt after epic all-Aussie clash

Alex de Minaur has knocked rising teenage Aussie star Cruz Hewitt out of the Washington Open in the second round.

The 27-year-old went up against the 17-year-old son of tennis legend Lleyton on Friday morning and was victorious 6-2, 6-3 to reach the third round.

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It is Hewitt’s ATP Tour tournament debut.

The pair have been close for Hewitt’s entire life given Lleyton has worked closely with de Minaur and mentored him throughout his career.

“We’re going to play (each other) for the next 10 years of our lives,” de Minaur said to Hewitt after their match.

The world No.6 admitted it was strange playing against someone who has basically been a little brother to him.

“It was definitely weird,” De Minaur said in his on-court interview.

“I knew I was going to play him on the tour some day, but I didn’t actually expect it to be this week.

“It was an amazing feeling. Even all the lead up, seeing all the incredible pictures that we have together and how we’ve both grown up. I’m glad I managed to get through, but I’m sure we’re going to have many battles in the years to come.”

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Lleyton, Australia’s two-time grand slam winner and former world No.1, was watching on from the stands as his son played his protege.

The 17-year-old finished runner-up in the Wimbledon boys tournament recently and was making his ATP Tour debut in Washington.

He plans to go through qualifying or hopes to earn a wildcard to make his Australian Open senior debut in January.

De Minaur is the defending champion in Washington and now faces Brandon Nakashima in the third round.

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