Fans, fellow players pay tribute after Lleyton Hewitt's final match
Lleyton Hewitt said goodbye to singles tennis on Thursday, getting run off the court in straight sets by No. 8 seed David Ferrer at the Australian Open.
It was his 20th attempt at his home country's Grand Slam event, a bid Andy Murray can relate to, having snapped years of futility for British men at Wimbledon himself.
''He was someone I loved watching growing up. His attitude toward competition - I loved. He fought, well, fights extremely hard to this day. He still has the same passion to win," Murray told reporters after advancing to the third round himself.
''He was an idol for me - I actually named one of my dogs after him because he was someone that I loved growing up.''
Hewitt addressed the crowd after his match before exiting one last time with his family in tow.
''Left nothing in the locker room. That's something I can be proud of. My whole career, I've given 100 percent," he said.
Here's how fans and fellow players marked the event on social media:
You were the guy to watch when I was growing up, an idol for every tennis player. All the best @lleytonhewitt ?? pic.twitter.com/tys2JdQi73
— Jack Sock (@JackSock) January 21, 2016
A true master class or grit, fight and determination leaves the playing field of tennis after tonight’s match. The great @lleytonhewitt
— Milos Raonic (@milosraonic) January 21, 2016
Ah man....little 3 am tear shedding. Happy retirement to the great Lleyton Hewitt. Aussie legend and class act. #AustralianOpen
— josh groban (@joshgroban) January 21, 2016
The tennis world is going to be less entertaining without #lleytonhewitt running his arse off. Happy retirement champ. @AustralianOpen
— Stephen Hunter (@StephenJHunter1) January 21, 2016
20 Opens. 41 Davis Cup ties. Two Davis Cups. Two grand slams. Two years at No. 1. An amazing career. #lleytonHewitt #ausopen
— Neil McMahon (@NeilMcMahon) January 21, 2016
End of an era. All class at the end of a stellar career. #lleytonhewitt
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) January 21, 2016
Going down fighting as usual. Now to concentrate on these three @AustralianOpen @Channel7 #lleytonhewitt pic.twitter.com/yY87Kj7BjY
— Mick Carroll (@sundayteleed) January 21, 2016
Lleyton Hewitt you typify the Australian spirit. You bloody legend #lleytonhewitt
— Brendan Goss (@gossy77) January 21, 2016
Sad to see this true legend leave the court for the last time as a player... #Legend #champion #lleytonhewitt pic.twitter.com/zi7Po9m658
— Anastasia Rodionova (@arodionova) January 21, 2016
A true Aussie legend. Thanks for the memories ? #legend #lleytonhewitt #cmon pic.twitter.com/cU7V6BlPpn
— Abby Bishop (@Abby_Knight10) January 21, 2016
@lleytonhewitt Thanks mate for all of those years giving it all on court! You made tennis my passion! #rusty #lleytonhewitt LEGEND
— Iván Vanegas (@idvanegas) January 21, 2016
Watching #Rusty playing @AustralianOpen ! Brings back old memories....#lleytonhewitt
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) January 19, 2016
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
