Hewitt’s career is over following second-round loss at Australian Open

Despite the straight-sets affair, Hewitt, who is still alive in doubles with partner Sam Groth, showed flashes of the player who won two Grand Slam titles in the early 2000s.

Retiring great Lleyton Hewitt lost his match and his cool on Thursday night in a straight-sets defeat that ended his singles career.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – Baseball cap turned backward, pumping himself up with cries of “C’MON!” Then he gathered his three young kids on center court and said farewell.

The first blood went to the Spaniard, muting the crowd somewhat, adding to their unease (not to mention some unease of Hewitt’s own as he called for a trainer to give his leg a bit of a deep tissue going-over!) as he rounded out the first set 6-2.

Ivanovic was stunned by the incident high up on the Rod Laver Arena, which interrupted play for nearly half an hour. “I never had idols, but Lleyton was one for me”, Ferrer told the crowd. The match was tough, Lleyton fought until the last ball.

His competitive nature got the better of him late in the 6-2 6-4 6-4 loss to Spanish eighth-seed David Ferrer. “I have a T-shirt of Lleyton in a museum in my house”. During the on-court interview, Ferrer mentioned that he has a museum of signed items from athletes and the only autographed shirt of a tennis player is from Hewitt. He was known for fist-pumping, chest-thumping bravado and tactless remarks both on and off the court. He held the position for just over a year as he collected the 2001 US Open at the expense of Pete Sampras and Wimbledon in 2002.

But his talent was undeniable.

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, 35 next month, remains the youngest player to reach world number one, in 2001, aged 20 years and eight months.

He went on to win 29 career titles, including the two majors.

Member of two Australian Davis Cup-winning teams, over Spain in 2003 and France in 1999.

After age and experience mellowed Hewitt, he earned respect for his gutsy tennis and a fighting spirit.

Emotion boiled over in the final set when, with the match ebbing away, Hewitt was given an audible obscenity warning before he clashed with the chair umpire, calling him a “frigging idiot”.

But Hewitt’s service games were a battle and Ferrer punished him when he had the chances.

“I think it’s a joke to deal with it”, said Hewitt, regarded as one of the game’s greatest competitors having played through pain for much of his career. When I was growing up, you’ve always been unbelievably nice to me and helpful to me when I was on tour – I really really appreciate that. “Obviously the other guys came in, and Roger and that took it to a totally new level.”The so-called Big Four — Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray — have become dominant, while Hewitt has struggled with hip and foot injuries, and has increasingly reduced his workload to the point where the Grand Slam tournaments and the majors were his only real focus. I wish you all the best with your family. “I felt like this was the flawless place to finish”, he said. I think it’s great that he’s ending it in Australia and he’s getting the due that he is.

Instead, the father of three will turn his attention to his new role as Australia’s 19th Davis Cup captain and he admitted retirement wouldn’t sink in for a few days yet.