The Wimbledon junior tournaments have been a stepping stone for many of Australia’s future stars.
Mark Philippoussis, Ash Barty and Alex de Minaur are among the names who have thrived at the All-England Club before embarking on successful professional careers.
Emerson Jones, Australia’s most recent finalist in the junior format two years ago, is beginning to make a name for herself at tour level.
> READ: Emerson Jones reaches Wimbledon final
The Gold Coast teenager, who turns 18 on Tuesday, is already on the verge of the WTA top 100, achieving a plethora of milestones in 2026. These include her maiden WTA 1000 triumph in Miami in March, followed by victory in her Billie Jean King Cup debut in April.
In the process of making that jump to professional tennis, Cruz Hewitt hopes he capitalise on his final Wimbledon boys’ singles campaign. He aims to become the sixth Australian boy since the junior format began in 1947 to hoist the winner’s trophy, with Luke Saville the most recent champion in 2011.
Having spent most of 2026 on the men’s World Tennis (formerly ITF) circuit, Hewitt enhances his chances of joining the illustrious list of Australian champions. The ATP world No.606 boasts a 20-15 professional record this year, with a solid 8-3 record on grass.
Hewitt also has the experience of winning at the All-England Club, securing a 6-1 6-2 victory on debut in 2025 against Savva Rybkin.
> MORE: Hewitt in Cruz control at Wimbledon 2025
In his opening match of Wimbledon 2026, he faces Spaniard Valentin Gonzalez-Galino.
The New South Welshman is one of three Australians currently in the junior main draw, joining Daniel Jovanovski and Renee Alame. Mustafa Ege Sik could increase that number to four should he win his final round of qualifying match against Italian Filippo Alfano.
Jovanovski and Alame seek to make lasting impressions in their Wimbledon debuts. The Australian No.1’s both secured victories at Australian Open 2026 and will hope to continue that trend at the grasscourt major.
They will each battle local players in the opening round, with Jovanovski facing wildcard Isaac Salliu, while Alame is up against top-50 player Hollie Smart.
Alame represents the sole chance of becoming Australia’s third girls' singles champion, hoping to join Debbie Freeman (1980) and Ash Barty (2011).
Wimbledon junior action commences on Saturday 4 July.
Aussies in action: Wimbledon
COMING UP
Boys’ singles, first round
Cruz Hewitt (AUS) v Valentin Gonzalez-Galino (ESP)
Daniel Jovanovski (AUS) v [WC] Isaac Sallu (GBR)
Girls’ singles, first round
Renee Alame (AUS) v Hollie Smart (GBR)