Farewelling with no regrets, Lleyton Hewitt says he "left nothing in the locker room" after his storied 20-year, 878-match professional tennis career came to a close with a sapping second-round loss at the Australian Open.
Spanish party pooper David Ferrer ended an era in Australian sport with a 6-2 6-4 6-4 victory over the wounded warrior in a gripping encounter that ended in controversial fashion on Thursday night.
But with little care for the occasion, the eighth-seeded Ferrer showed his class to put away Hewitt - who battled a thigh strain throughout - in two hours and 32 minutes.
"I came out, I gave everything I had like always and left nothing in the locker room," Hewitt said.
"That's something I can be proud of. My whole career I've given 100 per cent. I love competing."
But he'll compete no more.
David Ferrer joined those paying tribute to Hewitt for his contribution to tennis.
"It's a sad day because Lleyton is finishing his career. I have only good words for him. He's an idol. He's an amazing player."
Messages of praise were also posted on social media with the hashtag #HewBeauty.
