adminThe Rod Laver Arena saluted the end of an era on yesterday as the curtain was brought down on Lleyton Hewitt’s singles career with defeat in the second round of the Australian Open.
As always, 34-year-old home hero Hewitt gave it his all on court but the equally tenacious world No 8 David Ferrer — just one year younger at the age of 33 — was too strong with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 victory.
This was Hewitt’s 20th consecutive Australian Open appearance, stretching back to 1997 when he played his first match here at the age of 15.
Tears were flowing in the stands as Hewitt took to the microphone on court for one last time. He said: “I came out, I gave everything I had like always, left nothing in the locker room.
“That’s something I can always be proud of. My whole career I’ve given 100 per cent.”
Hewitt had worked hard on his fitness during the off-season to prepare for his swansong, but he must have cursed his luck when he was placed in the same section of the draw as Ferrer.
The Spaniard did not take long to stamp his authority in front of a full house on the main show court at Melbourne Park as he broke twice, needing just 37 minutes to take the first set.
Hopes of a fairytale ending for Hewitt were beginning to fade when Ferrer took a 4-2 lead. An enthralling game followed in which Hewitt brought up seven break points but he could not convert and Ferrer went on to close out a two-set lead.
Hewitt had a mountain to climb – the last time he came back from two sets down was against Radek Stepanek at Wimbledon in 2009 – but he typically did not give up.
A break down in the third set, there was one last moment of magic as he broke back for 3-3 and then hit perhaps the shot of the tournament so far as he somehow chased down a Ferrer drop shot, hitting an angled pick-up winner which had the crowd in raptures.
But any hopes of a switch in momentum were dashed as Hewitt handed the break straight back, and he was not going out quietly as he was warned for an audible obscenity by umpire Pascal Maria.
Ferrer went on to serve out the match in two hours and 32 minutes before the veteran pair embraced at the net and shared a long exchange.
As Hewitt walked off the court, the crowd stood on their feet to bid farewell to a former world No. 1, two-time Grand Slam champion at the US Open in 2001 and Wimbledon in 2002, and Davis Cup winner in 2003.
Hewitt said afterwards: “It was an unbelievable atmosphere out there. A couple of the roars during the match tonight was as loud as I’ve ever played in front of. I was getting goosebumps at times.
“Especially when I got back in the locker room, I guess that hits you a little bit more then. When I’m with my close friends and coaching staff that have helped me so much out, it’s sort of a strange feeling because you’re obviously disappointed not to keep going, but obviously proud of everything we’ve done as well.
“I’ve been very fortunate that I’ve had such a great career that I had the opportunity to go out on my terms. A lot of great sporting athletes don’t have that opportunity.
“I actually had the ball in my court in a lot of ways to do that here at the Australian Open. I feel really pleased about that.”
There will be at least one more chance, however, to say goodbye. Hewitt is still in the men’s doubles with Sam Groth, the Aussie pair taking on eighth seeds Henri Kontinen and John Peers on Friday.— Sportsmail.
derick.khumalo