Growing up as the daughter of one of Australia’s most celebrated sports stars and a beloved television actress could easily come with expectations that feel impossible to escape.

But for Mia Hewitt, the 20-year-old daughter of tennis icon Lleyton Hewitt and former Home and Away star Bec Hewitt, carving out her own identity

has never been about living up to a famous surname—it has been about listening to her instincts and following her passion.

In a candid new television appearance, Mia has spoken openly about why she chose a very different path from her champion father, trading centre court for the stage and embracing life as a “grungy” rock musician instead of a professional athlete.

Choosing Music Over the Baseline

Appearing on Today on Friday, Mia addressed the inevitable question that has followed her since childhood: why didn’t she pursue tennis? Speaking with refreshing honesty, she explained that the answer is far simpler than many might expect.

“Music’s been something I’ve always been passionate about,” she told hosts Jayne Azzopardi and Joel Dry. “I have absolutely zero hand-eye coordination, so it was never going to be tennis.”

The remark, delivered with a laugh, highlighted Mia’s grounded self-awareness. While her father’s legacy includes Grand Slam titles, Davis Cup triumphs, and years as one of the fiercest competitors in global sport, Mia has never felt compelled to step into those shoes. Instead, she has leaned into a creative world that always felt like home.

Mia Hewitt, the daughter of tennis legend Lleyton and former Home and Away star Bec, has revealed why she didn’t follow in her famous father’s footsteps

Finding Confidence—and Her Voice

For Mia, music was not an overnight decision but a gradual evolution. She explained that while her love for music had always been present, it took time to build the confidence needed to perform publicly and take her talent seriously.

“I always wanted to go down the music route,” she said. “I finally got a bit more confident as I got older, and then I decided to pursue it.”

That confidence ultimately led to the formation of Father’s Favourite, a bohemian folk duo she shares with fellow musician Chèrise Combrink. The pair bonded over shared influences and creative chemistry, turning friendship into collaboration. Their sound—earthy, raw, and unpolished—stands in deliberate contrast to the polished pop careers often associated with celebrity offspring.

“I’ve made some really beautiful friends,” Mia added. “Then we decided to start the band, and it’s been going really well.”

Appearing on Today on Friday, Mia admitted to hosts Jayne Azzopardi and Joel Dry that she simply did not have the coordination to be a professional tennis player. Pictured: Bec and Lleyton Hewitt

Instead of pursuing a life on centre court, the 20-year-old has, instead focused on a career in music, performing alongside Chèrise Combrink in the bohemian folk duo Father’s Favourite

‘I think music’s been [something] I’ve always been passionate about. I have absolutely zero hand-eye coordination, so it was never going to be tennis,’ Mia revealed

Mia’s parents, tennis champion Lleyton and singer Bec, met on the tennis court for a charity game at the Starlight Cup back in 1999. As well as singer Mia, they also share another daughter Ava, 12, and son Cruz, 15

Stepping Into the Spotlight—On Her Own Terms

Father’s Favourite played their first live gig in August last year, marking a significant milestone for Mia as she officially stepped into the public eye—not as Lleyton Hewitt’s daughter, but as an artist in her own right. The performance signaled the beginning of a journey that Mia appears determined to navigate authentically, without shortcuts or inherited privilege.

Her growing presence in the Sydney music scene has also introduced fans to another aspect of her life: her relationship with fellow musician Vanda Erich, a member of indie rock outfit Liquid Zoo. The couple made their first public appearance together during a relaxed day out at North Bondi in January 2024, where they were spotted picking up sunscreen before settling in at the beach’s iconic grassy knoll.

The low-key outing reinforced Mia’s image as someone more interested in creative connection than celebrity spectacle.

A Mother’s Wisdom—and Quiet Guidance

While Mia’s father is synonymous with discipline and mental toughness, it is her mother’s experience that may prove most valuable as she enters the notoriously unforgiving music industry. Bec Hewitt, best known for playing Home and Away fan favourite Hayley Smith Lawson from 1998 to 2005, knows firsthand how quickly fame can turn complicated.

At the height of her television success, Bec launched a pop career, releasing a self-titled album in 2002. Her debut single All Seats Taken climbed to number 10 on the ARIA charts, but the momentum was short-lived. Mixed reviews and industry pressures eventually led to her parting ways with Warner Music in 2004, effectively ending her recording career.

According to an insider who spoke to New Idea, Bec is now quietly determined to help her daughter avoid the same pitfalls.

“Bec knows how to deal with bad people and dodgy managers,” the source said. “She doesn’t want Mia making some of the mistakes she made early in her career, like being too optimistic about certain jobs.”

Rather than pushing Mia in any direction, Bec’s role appears to be one of protection and perspective—offering advice without imposing expectations.

More Than Just Music

Despite music being her current focus, Mia has not closed the door on other creative opportunities. Those close to the family say she understands that building a sustainable career today often requires versatility.

“Mia is very savvy,” the insider revealed. “She knows you can’t just be good at one thing. Entering the music industry means creating social media content and putting yourself forward.”

That awareness could eventually open doors beyond music, including modelling, acting, or even presenting—fields her mother knows intimately. But for now, Mia’s priority remains authenticity rather than ambition.

“Ultimately, Bec just wants Mia to be happy and working on a career that’s going to sustain her,” the source added.

A Family Built on Unexpected Paths

Mia’s story feels especially fitting given how her parents’ own relationship began. Lleyton and Bec first crossed paths at a charity tennis match during the Starlight Cup in 1999, but didn’t reconnect until years later. When they finally met again in 2005, their romance moved quickly—so quickly that they were engaged after just six weeks.

Now married for nearly two decades, they share three children: Cruz, 17, Mia, 20, and Ava, 15. Each appears to be charting their own course, free from the pressure to replicate their parents’ success.

Writing Her Own Story

In choosing music over tennis, Mia Hewitt is not rejecting her family’s legacy—she’s redefining it. Her journey reflects a new generation of celebrity children who value individuality over inheritance and creativity over expectation.

With her raw sound, grounded outlook, and supportive family behind her, Mia is proving that sometimes the bravest move isn’t following in famous footsteps—but stepping boldly in a completely different direction.