Federer's Daughters and Hewitt's Son Create Nostalgic Australian Open Moment
While social media trends in early 2026 have been fixated on reminiscing about 2016, tennis enthusiasts at the Australian Open were treated to a throwback that reached even further into the past. On Tuesday evening, a charming scene unfolded on the sidelines of Rod Laver Arena during Jannik Sinner's match against Hugo Gaston, where the children of two tennis legends shared a moment that transported fans back to the mid-2000s.
A Courtside Gathering of Tennis Royalty
Cruz Hewitt, the son of Australian tennis great Lleyton Hewitt, was spotted chatting amiably with Myla and Charlene Federer, the 16-year-old twin daughters of Swiss maestro Roger Federer. The trio, bearing striking resemblances to their famous fathers, provided a poignant link to an era when Hewitt and Federer dominated the sport. Their fathers met 27 times during their illustrious careers, with Federer holding an 18-9 advantage, yet there was no trace of rivalry as their offspring exchanged stories about growing up immersed in the global tennis tour.
Cruz Hewitt is already familiar to dedicated tennis followers, having competed in the Boys' singles at Wimbledon last year and participating in Australian Open qualifying this week. In contrast, Myla and Charlene have maintained a lower profile since their father's retirement in 2022, making this appearance particularly special for fans.
Growing Up in the Spotlight
Born in July 2009, just weeks after Roger Federer secured his sixth Wimbledon title, Charlene Riva and Myla Rose have been immersed in tennis from their earliest days. As the eldest of Federer's four children with his wife Mirka Vavrinec, they became fixtures in their father's player box, travelling the world during the peak of his career. However, Federer has openly expressed his ambivalence about them pursuing tennis professionally.
"I would be happy if they don't end up being on this court, actually," Federer once remarked. "I'd rather support them in another sport. Go see them be a super skier. That would be exciting."This sentiment echoes that of other tennis legends like Andre Agassi, who similarly preferred his children to carve paths outside tennis. Both Federer and Mirka, having been talented junior players themselves, understood the intense pressures required to excel at the highest level.
Evolving Family Dynamics and Interests
As the Federer family expanded with the arrival of twin brothers Leo and Lenny in 2014, tennis remained a constant backdrop to their lives. Yet Federer noted a shift in his daughters' attitudes as he navigated the latter stages of his career. "They've told me many times, 'Please don't lose daddy. We want to stay here for long,'" he recalled, before sharing a humorous moment when one daughter conceded, "it's actually OK (for me to lose), 'I'm happy to go skiing in Switzerland now.'"
Retirement has allowed more family time together, with the Federers splitting their residence between a luxurious villa on Lake Zurich and a chalet in Graubünden. This stability supports Charlene and Myla's education in Switzerland, punctuated by holidays to destinations like the Maldives and Japan, and tennis-related trips such as last year's Shanghai Masters.
Balancing Privacy and Passion
Despite their high-profile lineage, the twins prefer to maintain a low profile, opting for private social media accounts on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Their interests have diversified over the years, with Federer noting, "They do play tennis, and we ski, and we're all learning to golf. We recently tried scuba diving." He emphasised that the girls were never initially passionate about tennis, which he found relieving, while his sons have shown varying interests: Leo in tennis and soccer, and Lenny in creative pursuits like drawing and reading.
Interestingly, Federer admits he is not the ideal coach for fostering tennis passion, despite his unparalleled achievements. "I'll jump on the court with them whenever they want," he said. "You know, I'm not the coach, I'm the dad. The dad's advice, as we know, only goes so far. It doesn't matter if you've won Wimbledon or not; you're still the dad."
A Growing Tennis Connection
By 2023, however, there were signs that tennis might be growing on the twins. Federer observed, "The girls didn't love (tennis) in the beginning but as they get better, they're enjoying it and playing points now." This budding interest led to training stints at prestigious academies, including the John McEnroe Academy in East Hampton and, more recently, the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, where Myla and Charlene participated in sessions alongside top players like Iga Swiatek.
Federer delightedly shared a photo with his daughters and Nadal after their training, suggesting tennis is becoming a more significant part of their lives. Whether either girl will challenge their father or younger brothers for the title of the best Federer on court remains uncertain, but their presence at the Australian Open serves as a heartwarming reminder of tennis's enduring legacy through generations.
