Farewell, Champ: Lleyton Hewitt Retires After Australian Open Loss

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Published

January 21, 2016

Australian champ Lleyton Hewitt retired tonight, after a loss at the Australian Open at Rod Laver Area.

The former World Champion fought, but David Ferrer went on to win 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.

Hewitt gave an emotional court-side interview following the match in celebration of his 18-year career:

“I gave everything I have, like always, and left nothing in the locker room and that is something I can always be proud of.

“My whole career I have given 100 per cent. I love coming out here and competing. It is never hard to come out here and play in front of such great spectators.

It is always like a second home for me at Rod Laver Arena. I am fortunate to keep having this opportunity 20 years in a row.”

His opponent Ferrer paid tribute to him at the end of the match, too:

David Ferrer pays tribute to his “idol” Lleyton Hewitt as he advances to 3rd round https://t.co/wo8ZSXciST

— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2016

Ferrer wants to swap shirts with Hewitt as Lleyton bows out of #ausopen https://t.co/RFubnkscd2

— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2016

Following the tribute, Hewitt also said the reality of retirement hadn’t set in yet:

“It’s a weird emotion. I don’t think it will fully set in until maybe in a couple of days’ time.

It feels like I’ve played in nearly every major city in this great country. The crowds have been fantastic, second to none right across the board and I feel honoured to have this support and this love from this crowd – these crowds – it means so much to me.”

And of course, everyone’s celebrating the tennis stars varied and colourful career on social media under the hashtag #HewBeauty:

Getting teary …. Again. A tribute from all the champs – you deserve it! @lleytonhewitt THANK YOU XX

— Rebecca Maddern (@RebeccaMaddern7) January 21, 2016

I take that back. Currently crying for Hewitt. Well done mate! #AusOpen #HewBeauty

— Tully Smyth (@tee_smyth) January 21, 2016

Thanks for the memories Hewi @lleytonhewitt … Incredible career #AussiePride @AustralianOpen

— Sally Fitzgibbons (@Sally_Fitz) January 21, 2016

Goodbye to a prodigy in the truest sense https://t.co/Tiq1u7Y5nJ #AusOpen @lleytonhewitt pic.twitter.com/Ja9nPkrG0F

— The Courier-Mail (@couriermail) January 21, 2016

Thanks for the memories buddy #lleytonhewitt #champion

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 21, 2016

It’s all about @lleytonhewitt! Thanks for the memories! #legend #comeon #HewBeauty #AusOpen

— Dave Hughes (@DHughesy) January 21, 2016

#HewBeauty @lleytonhewitt

Congratulations on an epic career pic.twitter.com/3sG6dgC6im

— Rove and Sam (@RoveAndSam) January 21, 2016

Thank you @lleytonhewitt you legend. It’s been a pleasure watching you at #ausopen every year. #HewBeauty @7tennis pic.twitter.com/bXkzSq59GV

— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) January 21, 2016

Congrats, champion! 18 years is a bloody good innings. In celebration, here is a wonderful Youtube compilation of all the times Lleyton Hewitt yelled ‘C’MOOOOOOOON!’