Roger Federer offers 'candid' advice as rising tennis star cozies up to daughter

Roger Federer offered his advice to a rising tennis star who was seen getting close to his daughter. Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam winner who is widely considered one of the greatest tennis players of all-time, has been imparting wisdom on the superstar son of one of his former rivals. The 45-year-old has been mentoring Cruz Hewitt, the 17-year-old son of two-time Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt, who is an emerging star in the men's singles ranks. It comes after Cruz was seen cozying up to Federer's daughter, Myla, at the US Open this year. Federer and Hewitt, a former world No. 1-ranked men's player, dueled 27 times in their storied careers, including eight clashes in Grand Slam competition. • USA coach wastes no time punishing Caitlin Clark for woeful World Cup display vs Italy • NFL issues sudden statement as decision on Roger Goodell's future made As they toured the world, their families became close, and Federer's bond with Hewitt's son, Cruz, has only grown as both have gotten older. Cruz is now the No. 354-ranked men's singles player in the world and recently reached the boys' singles final at Wimbledon in 2026. A source with inside knowledge of the duo's mentor-mentee relationship recently shed light on how the tennis legend is guiding the teenage star as he eyes a long career at the top level. 'Roger truly believes Cruz has got the potential to go all the way in the years ahead,' an inside source told Australian outlet New Idea. Cruz Hewitt is considered a rising star in men's tennis -Credit:Photo by'And it's a two-way street, everyone knows how much respect Cruz has for Roger and that he looks up to him alongside his dad as a true legend of the game, if not the undisputed GOAT (greatest of all time).' 'The pressure can be enormous and Roger's very candid about that,' the source continued. Cruz certainly has his own father, whose singles career spanned nearly two decades and included eight Grand Slam semifinal appearances, to go to for advice and guidance. But given his relationship with Federer, one of the sport's all-time greats, he is wisely using the Swiss legend as a resource as well. 'Even with all his success, Roger would have done certain things a little differently, and he's humble enough to share those guidelines with Cruz, as he sees him as a true superstar in the making,' the source said. 'But he's not sugarcoating some of his advice, as he truly believes that sacrifices are the name of the game here. For all the talent in the world, Cruz is going to need to grit his teeth and buckle down if he wants to get to the top and stay there. 'Thankfully, he's got the dream mentors in Roger and his dad to help him along.' Hewitt has already made his mark at the junior level, so the next step for his budding career is to play in as many senior ATP Tour events as possible and to qualify for Grand Slam events. He already played in an ATP 500 event in July 2026, when he reached the Round of 16 at the Washington Open and lost to world No. 5 Alex de Minaur 6-2, 6-3.