Bec’s tears CRUZ MOVES TO SPAIN!
The sports star is getting expert training from champ Rafa Nadal
While most teen boys are playing backyard cricket and hanging out with their mates at the local shops, that’s not the case for Cruz Hewitt, son of Aussie great Lleyton, who, at just 14, has flown the coop and checked into Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal’s international tennis academy!
Located near 37-year-old Rafa’s hometown on the Spanish island of Mallorca,
Lleyton has given his former rival clear instructions that he’s to make his son the best in the world!
“Lleyton and Bec have had this planned for the past two years,” an insider reveals to Woman’s Day.
“Lleyton has taken him as far as he could as a coach, and they decided it’s now or never and made the call to their good friend Rafa – who of course said yes!”
The Rafa Nadal Academy took to social media recently to announce the arrival of the two-time Grand Slam champion’s son. “His face is familiar to us! And the way he plays tennis! Welcome Cruz Hewitt! VAMOS!!” they wrote in a cheeky reference to his dad’s trademark catchcry of “Come on!”
With starting fees upwards of $90,000 a year, the five-star facility offers a winning combination of top-tier tennis coaching and a full-time study curriculum.
“Lleyton and Bec want Cruz to have the best opportunities, sporting and otherwise, and both are keen for him to become fluent in Spanish, which is a given considering he’s going to be immersed in the culture seven days a week!”
Cruz, who won his second ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors title of the season in June, certainly won’t be slumming it!
The luxury accommodation comes complete with their own bathrooms and 24/7 concierge, while the state-of-the-art facility boasts 26 tennis courts, a soccer pitch and even its own aquatic centre.
“They have a gourmet kitchen that caters to whatever he wants at any time of the day. At the same time, he is getting the sort of education that will prepare him for university entrance if he chooses,” explains the source.
Meanwhile, Bec, 40, has made the difficult decision to stay in Australia with their two daughters – Mia, 17, and Ava, 12 – while Lleyton, 42, and Cruz will go back and forth between Spain and Australia.
“She will miss him dreadfully, but they were over in Europe for Wimbledon recently,” says the insider. “Not many kids get the chance to train among what will be the next generation of champions.”