Australian Tennis Awards: Cruz Hewitt takes Junior Male Athlete of the year and Alex de Minaur crowned the winner of the prestigious 2025 Newcombe Medal.
The Australian Tennis Awards took centre stage on Monday evening at the stunning Crown Palladium in Melbourne. Hosted by tennis legends Todd Woodbridge and Casey Dellacqua, the event was a star-studded affair, drawing the who’s who of the Australian tennis community, all gathered to honour the remarkable achievements of the sport’s brightest stars.
Among the night’s most exciting moments was the recognition of Cruz Hewitt, who was awarded the Male Junior Athlete of the Year. With proud parents Lleyton and Bec Hewitt cheering him on from the audience, Cruz radiated enthusiasm as he reflected on his experiences competing in junior slams. “Playing in the junior slams has been so much fun,” he shared. “Traveling the world and meeting such incredible players has taught me a lot, and hopefully, my game has improved thanks to these experiences.”
The light-hearted banter between Todd Woodbridge and Cruz added a delightful touch to the evening. As Todd highlighted their shared connection as players who had both played with Cruz’s father, Lleyton, Cruz quipped, “Dad’s getting old.” The laughter continued as Todd noted the challenge of returning Lleyton’s formidable serve, leading Cruz to wisely advise, “You have to be ready at the net.” The camaraderie among generations of tennis talent was palpable, underscoring the depth of Australian tennis heritage.
Winner: Cruz Hewitt and Sam Stosur Newcombe
As the awards progressed, the spotlight turned to Alex de Minaur, who was crowned the winner of the prestigious 2025 Newcombe Medal. Celebrated for his extraordinary achievements on the global stage this year, Australia’s top-ranked player has had an impressive run. De Minaur made history by qualifying for the ATP Finals for the second consecutive year, advancing to the semifinals for the first time, a testament to his relentless spirit and determination.
With ten career titles under his belt, including a standout victory at the ATP 500 event in Washington, De Minaur led the tour with an impressive 43 hard-court wins this season. His consistency was evident as he reached the quarterfinals at both the Australian and US Opens, in addition to several master’s 1000 events, culminating in a remarkable finish at world No. 7—the highest year-end ranking of his career.
In his acceptance speech, De Minaur expressed heartfelt gratitude: “First of all, thank you to John Newcombe himself. It’s an incredible honor to receive this medal. I want to thank my amazing team that continuously pushes me to achieve my best.” He also proudly acknowledged the burgeoning talent in Australian tennis, remarking, “There are an immense amount of players cracking into the top 100, both in the women’s and men’s sides.”
The Australian Tennis Awards not only celebrated individual achievements but also highlighted the vibrant future of the sport in Australia.
By Melinda Sullivan
Event Photography by Fiona Hamilton
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