Exclusive: Pat Rafter is a man acquainted with pressure.
Having famously held the world No.1 ranking for the shortest period in ATP history – one week – the Australian tennis legend understands the brutal mental toll of the sport.
Rafter opened up about the rising career of youngster Cruz Hewitt, who recently lost in an all-Australian match up against world No.6 Alex De Minaur and why he thinks the 17-year-old will be at the Australian Open.
“I’m really happy. I didn’t think Cruz was going to win his first one, so I was very excited for him. I don’t know him that well,” Rafter told nine.com.au.
“But all reports, he’s a good kid… he’s obviously got passion. He’s had to go through a lot of things too. I mean, it’s hard being Lleyton Hewitt’s son.
“It’s not his fault, it’s not Lleyton’s fault, it’s just what it is.
“He’s 17 years old. Let’s see what happens in the next four years. It’ll take him a little while. He’s going to be spoken about. You’re going to think he’s a brat sometimes, you’re going to think he’s the best sometimes. That’s just growing up.
“I’m sure he’s good because deep down he’s a good kid. So he’ll be fine.”
Rafter had no doubt that Hewitt would be handed a wildcard for his home grand slam and be on his way to stardom. He also fiercely dismissed the idea that Hewitt’s opportunities are unearned.
“He’ll play the AO, absolutely. He’s just proven that he can play. And we don’t have any juniors coming through. And there’s a very good chance he’ll get a wildcard,” Rafter admitted.
“I mean, I don’t know who’s asking, but I would imagine… I don’t even know who’s coming through. Seriously, that’s how detached I am.
“You can call him a ‘nepo baby’ or whatever you want, but he has to do it himself, and he’s done it himself.
“He’s not nepo. He’s doing it.”