Cruz Hewitt – the son of ATP legend Lleyton Hewitt – has secured his first-ever ATP tour victory with a stunning upset win in Washington DC. The 17-year-old has been a regular fixture on the junior circuit for close to four years, and at the start of this month, made the Wimbledon boys final to face off against US starlet-in-waiting Jordan Lee. Although unable to secure his first junior Grand Slam title, Hewitt pushed Lee to three tight sets in the eye-catching match in SW19 – which prompted the ATP 500 tournament in the US capital to offer both of the teens qualifying wildcards. But while world No 151 Moez Echargui despatched Lee in straight sets in the first round of qualifying, Hewitt made the main draw after a quirk in scheduling saw both of his opponents retire. The New South Wales native then went on to meet fellow qualifier Marcos Giron – and claimed his first ATP main draw win against the world No 85 6-3, 6-4. Hewitt soaked up the applause of the crowd as the youngest winner at the tournament since Kei Nishikori in 2007, showing off his famous father’s signature ‘vicht’ celebration 22 years on from Hewitt Snr’s Washington title. Cruz Hewitt claimed his first ATP senior victory with a win in Washington over Marcos Giron The teenager is looking to follow in the footsteps of his heavily decorated father Lleyton The 17-year-old most recently made the Wimbledon boys final – but lost to US star Jordan LeeThe elder Hewitt made the four-finger salute famous during his playing career, but in the aftermath of his own win, his son admitted that he didn’t really understand the meaning behind it, not how it earned its name. Two-time Grand Slam champion Lleyton retired in 2016, but not before claiming 30 singles titles and holding the world No 1 spot for 80 weeks in the early 2000s. But after defeating Giron, Hewitt singled out special memories from travelling to watch his father play in Washington 11 years ago. ‘I remember being in the locker room,’ Hewitt shared during his post-match press conference. ‘I remember my dad making his protein shake… being around him on the practice court. ‘I remember I did an interview with him as well, and now sitting here doing my own interview, it’s surreal.’Hewitt added that his father had given him some straightforward advice before stepping onto court. ‘His main advice was just to enjoy it, enjoy the opportunity I had,’ Hewitt added. ‘When I enjoy it, I think I bring my best game when I’m having fun.’Lleyton was most recently a presence in the stands when his son battled for a potential maiden junior Grand Slam championship in SW19. But Hewitt does not consider his father his sole mentor in the tennis world. The teenager has often called upon the support of Alex de Minaur, who he trained with in the days leading up to the tournament, and during their mutual stints at Wimbledon this year. But in a twist of fate, the pair could yet meet in the round of 16 should the Australian No 1 beat Stefanos Tsitsipas on Wednesday. ‘He’s like my older brother,’ Hewitt continued. ‘I’ve known him basically nearly my whole life. He’s stayed with us. We have Christmas together also.”Obviously I learn a lot hitting with him.’Even if Hewitt does not progress in his next match, the Stateside win should give the player an important confidence – and points – boost after a season spent toiling in a mix of junior, Challenger and Futures events.The current world No 612 has also previously received qualifying wildcards to the 2025 and 2026 Australian Opens.