The 16-year-old rallied past Cruz Hewitt on No.1 Court to claim the Wimbledon boys’ title.
Florida native Jordan Lee, a qualifier in this year’s boys’ singles draw, was also the youngest player in the youngest in the 64-player field.
He was also the last one standing.
16-year-old Lee took out Cruz Hewitt, the son of Aussie Hall of Famer and former Wimbledon champion Lleyton, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, to become the first American to win the Wimbledon Boys’ title since 2021.
Lee is one of five Americans to win the boys’ tournament at Wimbledon this century, along with Donald Young, Noah Rubin, Reilly Opelka and Samir Banerjee.
“I know it’s a long journey,” Lee said in his post-match press conference. “So I don’t think winning this title means that I’m going to be destined for greatness or that I’m going to win pros next year.
“I know there’s a long journey ahead of me, and I’m ready for it.”
Lee was down early, 5-1, in the opening set, but closed the gap even though he didn’t take the set. He held his own in the final two sets, and rallied from 4-2 down in the third against 17-year-old Hewitt to claim a title that was special because he had to miss most of last year with a wrist injury.
“I had a very serious wrist injury that kept me out for, like, seven months,” he said. “It was a really tough time because I was seeing everyone play and get better and improve, and I couldn’t play.
“So yeah, I mean, a couple things around my body, but nothing that I was too worried about. I knew that once I started playing, once I got healthy, my level was there to win a slam, and I did.”
Lee’s mom, Tina is currently a High Performance director at the USTA facility in Lake Nona, where Jordan trains.
Russia’s Anna Pushkareva defeated China’s Xinran Sun, 6-4 2-6 6-1 for the Girls’ title on Saturday. At two hours and 22 minutes it was the longest Wimbledon girls’ final on record.
She says blocking out the pressure was the key to her run.
“My biggest secret is actually that I just try to not think,” she said. “I just tried every time, because when I don’t think it’s easy for me to explain. Just go to court, just do your job, and that’s all. Just not thinking so much.
“Not think about people. Like not so think about arena. Not think it’s like Wimbledon final. Because when you think, you get a pressure. Just try to not think.”
Chris Oddo. Chris Oddo is a freelance sportswriter, podcaster, blogger and social media marker who is a lead contributor to Tennisnow.com. He also writes for USOpen.org, Rolandgarros.com, BNPParibasOpen.com, TennisTV.com, WTAtennis.com and the official US Open program.
