Hewitt retires after a loss against Ferrer

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – Baseball cap turned backward, pumping himself up with cries of “C’MON!”

As expected, the clash was a celebration of Hewitt’s career disguised as tennis match, a lovefest confirming he had completed an extraordinary journey that had gradually elevated his status from controversial young punk to Aussie icon.

The incident punctuated Hewitt and Groth’s 6-4, 6-2 men’s doubles defeat to Vasek Pospisil and Jack Sock, the last professional match involving the former world number one who bowed out of the singles draw last week.

Hayne took to social media platform Instagram to share his views on Hewitt’s retirement from tennis.

With No. 2-ranked Simon Halep and No. 7 Venus Williams already out, No. 20 Ivanovic is the most experienced player in her quarter. “Is this like a friendly reminder that I’m getting old?” He received a bit of criticism early in his career and he was a bit polarising here in Australia, but over time he let the racket do the talking and people came to respect the way he would fight for every single match. For 20 years theAustralian crowd have been blessed to have man in their corner who is prepared to put everything on the line at his home Grand Slam, the Australian Open. “I never had idols”. “I have a T-shirt of Lleyton in a museum in my house”.

This, after all, is a player who, in his first interview at Melbourne Park this year, confessed that what he’ll really miss when his playing days are over is the grunt work. He was known for fist-pumping, chest-thumping bravado and tactless remarks both on and off the court.

This year’s Australian Open has been overshadowed by allegations of corruption on the playing circuit, following a joint investigation undertaken by Buzzfeed News and the BBC.

Andy Murray made dealing with the world’s biggest serve look easy yesterday as he reached the Australian Open third round, alongside Ana Ivanovic, who was shaken by an elderly spectator’s courtside fall.

Hewitt held the No. 1 ranking for 80 weeks.

So after 616 wins matches and 878 matches, Hewitt’s career comes to a close. He also won the Davis Cup.

After age and experience mellowed Hewitt, he earned respect for his gutsy tennis and a fighting spirit. He launched a verbal volley at chair umpire Pascal Maria after the seventh game of the last set when he was angered by foot-fault calls at one end.

Hewitt’s strong denial comes after top-ranked Novak Djokovic also rejected a claim aired in the Italian press that he deliberately lost a match in 2007. But inevitably Ferrer worked his way to serving for the match and claimed victory when Hewitt’s forehand was wide. “He was actually going to play with Thanasi, so I got a late call-up”, Hewitt said courtside. I’ve enjoyed my time on court with you. “In my whole career I’ve given 100 percent and I love coming out here and competing”.

Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios all paid tribute to Hewitt in a video shown inside the stadium after the match.

“It was an unbelievable atmosphere out there”, Hewitt told reporters.

“It’s the flawless place to finish”, he said, thanking all those who had helped his journey.

He will now turn his full attention to his new role as Davis Cup captain, with Australia taking on the United States of America in the first round on grass at Kooyong in March.