2018 Australian Open finalist Simona Halep and Cruz Hewitt, son of 2005 Australian Open finalist Lleyton Hewitt, headline the list of players who received qualifying wildcards for the 2025 Australian Open.
Welcome Back Simona Halep
Halep, 33, has been sidelined from the sport since late 2022. Her last appearance at the Australian Open was in January 2022 when she advanced to the fourth round. Significant delays from her failed drug tests and injuries have taken valuable time away from her playing career in her 30s. Fans would like to see her make a deep run in Melbourne in January. But first, she must work her way through the qualifying rounds. Emma Raducanu is the only player who won a Grand Slam as a qualifier at the 2021 US Open.
Happy Slam 🫶 @Simona_Halep
See you soon! #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/1xEibhJOCX
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) December 18, 2024
She is a two-time Grand Slam champion, but those wins came on the Roland Garros clay and the Wimbledon grass. Given her issues in recent years, it will be interesting to see how the fans will receive her in Melbourne.
Halep will prepare for the Australian Open with a main draw wildcard entry at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.
Happy Slam 🫶 @Simona_Halep
See you soon! #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/1xEibhJOCX
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) December 18, 2024
Australians Want Cruz Hewitt To Succeed
Cruz Hewitt, on the other hand, will be a fan favorite. He is an Aussie. His father Lleyton Hewitt, 43, is a tennis legend. Lleyton is still actively with Tennis Australia as the United Cup and Davis Cup captain. Hewitt’s son Cruz is 16 years old. The resemblance is uncanny, including the signature backward baseball cap.
1997 – 15-year-old Lleyton Hewitt receives a qualifying wild card into the Australian Open
2025 – 16-year-old Cruz Hewitt, son of Lleyton, receives a qualifying wild card into the Australian Open
Sporting the backwards cap just like his dad. Amazing. pic.twitter.com/yiVYCWAXxo
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) December 18, 2024
