Cruz Hewitt, the 17-year-old son of Australian tennis great Lleyton Hewitt, has grown close to Roger Federer's 17-year-old twin daughters, Charlene and Myla, with the trio spotted together at major tournaments in recent months.
Cruz was seen sitting alongside Charlene and Myla in the stands at the Australian Open in January. The friendship was still going strong at Wimbledon last month, when Cruz was spotted enthusiastically greeting the twins as he arrived for the junior boys' final.
The repeated public appearances together have drawn attention given the trio's sporting pedigrees, with speculation growing that Cruz and Myla could be more than friends.
"It makes sense that Cruz and Myla would at least be mates. Cruz has always been close to Myla and her twin," an insider told Woman's Day. "If they are really an item, then for both sets of parents, it would be a relief of sorts because they each know that they have grown up together with very similar values."
A possible move to Switzerland
The Federer twins live with their father in Switzerland, and Cruz is reportedly considering a move there himself, both to advance his tennis career under Federer's mentorship and to be near his friends.
"[The Federers] adore him and Cruz thinks it could be a win-win. Be close to the girls but also have Roger as a mentor," the insider said. "Cruz has definitely got Switzerland on the brain. He loves being around the Federer family and can see the appeal of having that kind of tennis knowledge right on his doorstep."
Federer, a former world number one, won 20 Grand Slam singles titles across a career that made him one of the most decorated players in tennis history.
Parents' caution over a big decision
Cruz's parents, Lleyton, 45, and Bec, 43, are reportedly wary about their son moving abroad, fearing that distractions could take his focus off tennis training.
"Lleyton understands why Cruz is excited about it, but he's also been around tennis long enough to know how quickly distractions can creep in," the insider said. "He's not shutting the door on Switzerland, but he wants Cruz to earn the right to make those big decisions by putting the work in first."
Lleyton's tribute to Bec
Lleyton, a former world number one himself and Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductee, has previously spoken publicly about the toll of the family's unconventional lifestyle, revealing that Bec had quietly shouldered the emotional burden of uprooting their young family repeatedly for his career and later their son's emerging tennis journey.
"Bec's travelled the world with us and it's a grind, and especially with three young kids, we've had to move base and set up overseas," Lleyton said at the ceremony. "And she's done everything with grace and elegance."
"You've been the rock the whole time supporting me. I certainly wouldn't have been able to continue my career and be able to play 20 Australian Opens without you. I'm eternally grateful, I love you so much," he said.
Lleyton and Bec have three children: daughters Mia, 20, and Ava, 15, as well as son Cruz.
