Bernard Tomic & Cruz Hewitt Exit Australian Open Qualifiers
Australian tennis fans were left disappointed as both Bernard Tomic and Cruz Hewitt bowed out of the Australian Open qualifiers in Melbourne Park after suffering straight-set defeats in round one. Tomic, the seasoned veteran, and Hewitt, the young prospect, failed to secure a victory, dashing their hopes of making it to the Open main draw.
Tomic’s Disappointing Return to Melbourne
Bernard Tomic, a former world No.17, was aiming to return to the Australian Open after a four-year absence. Despite his past successes at the tournament, including reaching the fourth round three times, Tomic’s comeback fell short as he was defeated by Jozef Kovalik from Slovakia in a 6-3, 6-1 loss. The 32-year-old Tomic, ranked No.214, struggled to maintain his performance after the first set, ultimately succumbing to Kovalik’s dominance on the court.
Hewitt’s Early Exit and Missed Opportunity
On the other hand, Cruz Hewitt, the 16-year-old son of former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt, faced a similar fate with a 6-1, 6-4 loss to Nikoloz Basilashvili from Georgia. Despite showing glimpses of potential in the second set, Hewitt’s inexperience was evident as he failed to capitalize on crucial opportunities to turn the match in his favor. With his parents watching from the stands, Hewitt’s journey to the main draw was cut short, leaving fans eager to see more from the rising star.
Missed Chances and Unanswered Questions
Both Tomic and Hewitt’s exits from the qualifiers raised questions about their future in the sport. While Tomic questioned the possibility of facing fines for skipping post-match interviews, Hewitt chose to remain silent about his performance, leaving fans wondering about the lessons learned from their defeats. As the Australian Open continues, spectators will have to wait to see if Tomic and Hewitt can bounce back from their setbacks and make a comeback in future tournaments.