Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt played his final singles match of his career on Thursday, losing to Spain’s David Ferrer at his home grand slam
ADVERTISEMENTAustralian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt played his final singles match of his career on Thursday, losing to Spain’s David Ferrer at his home grand slam – the Australian Open in Melbourne.
The 34-year old has enjoyed a glittering career spanning almost 20 years.
The Adelaide native won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2001, thrashing then-four-time champion Pete Sampras in straight sets.
Later that year he went on to win the season-ending Tour Finals and become the youngest ever world number one at 20 years and nine months.
In 2002 he beat David Nalbandian to win Wimbledon for his second and last Grand slam title – he also won the Tour finals for a second straight year.
Hewitt won a total of 30 singles titles and he also helped Australia to the Davis Cup trophy on two occasions.
Hewitt has at least one last competitive match at the Aussie Open – a doubles tie with compatriot Sam Groth – before he becomes captain of Australia’s Davis Cup team.