Cruz Hewitt’s latest bid to qualify for his first Australian Open main draw came up short in the first round of qualifying. But the Aussie teenager still picked up a $40,000 pay cheque courtesy of the record prizemoney on offer this year at Melbourne Park.
Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley announced before the year’s first grand slam that the total prize pool had risen to $111.5 million at the Australian Open. The winners of the men’s and women’s singles titles will both pick up a massive $4.15 million – which represents a 19% increase on last year.
Cruz Hewitt still pocketed a $40,000 pay cheque despite losing in the first round of Australian Open qualifying. Pic: Getty
First round losers in the main draw will stand to make $150,000, and the increase means even first round losers in qualifying – such as Hewitt – are set to walk away with $40,500. It will probably come as little consolation to the young Hewitt, who was hoping to following in his famous father Lleyton’s footsteps by winning through to his first grand slam main draw at the Australian Open.
Unfortunately, the 17-year-old was outclassed by 21-year-old American Michael Zheng, who prevailed 6-3 6-3 in a dominant display. The crowds flocked to the revamped ANZ Arena at Melbourne Park to watch Hewitt, who again received a wildcard into qualifying. But they were left disappointed after a largely one-sided contest, despite some flashes of brilliance from the Aussie teen.
Cruz Hewitt goes down in front of huge crowd
Hewitt was made to pay for 37 unforced errors and six double faults, as Zheng took advantage of the teen’s sloppiness. The 17-year-old was clearly in no mood to talk after the match as he knocked back post-match media requests.
The World No.734 will now set his sights on trying to claim his first Australian Open junior win in the boys’ competition later in the tournament. Hewitt made a hasty exit off court and down the players’ entrance after the match and only offered a brief “no” when asked if he would speak with media. Players are not obligated to do so in qualifying.
Storm Hunter among the Aussies into next round of qualifying
Hewitt was among a number of home players to fall in the first round of qualifying. But fellow Aussies Storm Hunter, James McCabe, Jason Kubler, Elena Micic and Maddison Inglis all won to book their spots in the second round.
Doubles specialist Hunter put aside the disappointment of missing last year’s Australian open with injury by downing Georgia’s Ekaterine Gorgodze 7-5 6-3. The 31-year-old faces Lola Radivojevic in the second round after the Serb overcame a scare from 18-year-old Aussie wildcard Alana Subasic to win in three sets.
Storm Hunter was among a number of Aussie players to win through to the second round of Australian Open qualifying. Pic: Getty
McCabe won an all-Australian battle against Pavle Marinkov 6-2 7-6 (7-5) and Kubler beat Frenchman Harold Mayot 6-3 6-4. 21-year-old wildcard Micic came through a sea-sawing match against Frenchwoman Carole Monnet, 6-4 4-6 6-1. While Inglis joined her fiance Kubler in the second round after a 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 win over Spain’s Leyre Romero Gormaz.
with AAP