LLEYTON Hewitt has farewelled professional tennis, ending his illustrious singles career with a straight-sets defeat to David Ferrer in the Australian Open second round on Thursday night.

The former world number one and two-time major champion yet again displayed his trademark fighting abilities despite being hampered by a thigh strain on Rod Laver Arena, but the eighth-seeded Ferrer answered the challenge to win 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 32 minutes.

The loss ends Hewitt's 18-year professional career and fittingly his final match was played at the Australian Open, where he first announced himself when he qualified for the main draw as a 15-year-old in 1997.

"I gave everything I have, like always, and left nothing in the locker room and that is something I can always be proud of," Hewitt said in a courtside interview.

"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.

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