When he clinched the match courtesy of a missed service return from Moobeen Kim, Cruz Hewitt - son of Lleyton - looked towards the players' box from where the Hewitt clan watched the 16-year-old claim his maiden Grand Slam win. 

He is getting used to Court 3, is Cruz, the arena where he made his boys' debut 12 months ago and where he played in the main draw qualifiers last week. He now has a victory at the 2025 Australian Open Junior Championships and much merited it was.

Indeed such was his joy that we heard a trademark family ‘C’mon’ from Cruz then a clenched fist and a slight reluctance to leave the court which he did only after standing on his toes and signing a good few caps thrust down by fans from the stand above.

It had begun at 8.20pm and lasted just 74 minutes, 6-3 6-3 the win over the South Korean qualifier, a fighter making his debut at a Slam. It was never really in doubt. 

Hewitt, who is ranked No. 60 in the ITF World Tennis Tour boys' rankings, has played just one main draw Junior Grand Slam match anywhere, when he lost in round one a year ago in Melbourne. He played the main draw qualifiers here 10 days ago but, other than that, his last tournament was a J100 in Christchurch, New Zealand, last October, one of three he won in 2024.

Kim is a year older and ranked 12 places lower and this was his Grand Slam debut. There were about 3,000 fans backing his opponent and while he lost, he will be stronger for the experience.

Court No. 14, meanwhile, is about 200 metres from Court No. 3 and pretty much the furthest playing surface from the the Melbourne Park locker rooms. And on a hot and heaving day, it can take some time to even get out there.

Early on Saturday, Switzerland’s Henry Bernet and Luis Guto Miguel from Brazil had the added complication of waiting for a girls’ blockbuster to finish before wading out to the sticks.

“It was hard preparation because the girls match was three hours. One girl looked like the sure winner, leading 5-2 (it went to a final set tie-break) so I was warming up three times,” said 17-year-old Bernet after his 6-3 6-1 victory that was a more challenging contest than the score suggests.

“I saw him at Roland Garros for the first time, he played the qualifying tournament and I had seen him on YouTube but not too much in matches. He is two years younger.

“He started the match pretty good. I was a bit nervous I knew I would get the chance to get him back, he is still young, keep calm and stay patient.”

Bernet is, on his first visit to Australia, very much the form player in the boys’ draw, played seven and won seven so far this year and without dropping a set.

“It’s always nice winning a tournament (at Traralgon last week). It was my biggest tournament win so far in junior tennis, it was a great week. I think it was good to make an impression to the other players that I’m feeling well.”

He will, he says, ensure that he watches some of the senior tennis over the coming days. His aunt and uncle, in town to support him, have show court tickets for Sunday and he’ll pop along if he can.

On this form the stylish Bernet - he is from Basel and comparisons with the Roger Federer playing manner are far from ridiculous - will be turning out himself on a major court soon.

He is yet to see Rod Laver Arena but it will not take long.

Seeded No. 8 this tournament, he is down to face the top seed Jan Kumstat in the last eight. It is one to look forward to.

A quick note on the 15-year-old Miguel. Wow. Turning out in bright Brazil yellow, he has a physicality to challenge most players in the boys’ draw. He is ranked No. 37 in the ITF World Tennis Tour boys' rankings and this will undoubtedly rise steadily in 2025.

A full list of results from the 2025 Auatralian Open Junior Championships is available here