Lleyton Hewitt's decorated career ends in famously fiery fashion

Lleyton Hewitt bid an interminable and decorated professional singles tennis career an emotional farewell on Thursday, losing a second-round tilt in straight sets to eighth-ranked Spaniard David Ferrer on the Rod Laver Court.

To his credit, his singles swansong was like so many other matches during his career, as his 20th Australian Open featured trademark bouts of anger and unrest for the former Wimbledon and US Open winner.

Trailing two sets to none and down a game in the third set, Hewitt blasted chair umpire Pascal Maria for his noncompliance with the Aussie's demands to remove a linesperson for calling a string of foot faults on the 34-year-old firebrand.

"He's the only moron calling them," Hewitt shouted at Maria.

"You're a freaking idiot. That's why everyone in the locker room thinks you're full of yourself."

A reliable source of fiery anger and verve, and never far from controversy, Hewitt said a final goodbye to a career plentiful with talking points in a manner consistent with his disposition on the court.

The youngest male player ever to be ranked No. 1 had an emotional moment following the match, as a partisan crowd applauded his passage through men's professional tennis.

A noticeably emotional Hewitt walked off the court Thursday with his children in tow, two Grand Slams to his name, a 2005 Aussie Open finals defeat and 66 slam appearances - third most in the Open era - the notable highlights of a protracted career.

As the curtain fell on his singles career, the Adelaide-born agitator has the men's doubles with Sam Groth to look forward to, and beyond that, a life without the rigors of the men's tour.

With a glass of champagne in hand, Hewitt spoke to reporters post-match while his three children looked on, signalling both an illustrious past and what the future has in store.

"You know, it was an unbelievable atmosphere out there," Hewitt offered.

The match was preceded by a tribute to Hewitt featuring some of the game's biggest stars, including Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Roger Federer.

"A couple of the roars during the match tonight was as loud as I've ever played in front of. I was getting goose bumps at times. Obviously just watching the video and hearing those great players talk about you in that light was pretty emotional."

The tributes rolled in on Twitter as well, as stars both past and present honoured the always-impassioned Aussie for a decorated career whose successes were once unthinkable.

Few would have predicted a career that lasted 878 matches, 616 of which were victories, for a player once deemed too undersized to succeed at this level.

Though he stands 5-foot-10, Hewitt was instrumental in the modernization of the men's game, substituting power with baseline play and rallies.

It was Hewitt who played a role in the melding of the two. It was Hewitt who gave those who were deemed physically underwhelming the hope that they too could prevail.

Hewitt's generation's biggest star, Roger Federer, said it best when describing the combustible Aussie.

"Lleyton made me figure out my game and made me definitely a better player as well," Federer told reporters. "I enjoyed the battles with him."

His career wasn't limited to the men's tour, as for years, Hewitt wore the Australian flag with pride while plying his trade with the country's Davis Cup side.

A record of 58-20, the most victories in Australian history, fostered the bright future of tennis in the country that boasts the likes of Thanasi Kokkinakis, Bernard Tomic, and the similarly fiery Nick Kyrgios.

"Playing for Australia has always been my biggest honor," Hewitt said.

For all the criticism of his on-court conduct and the way he addressed linespersons and judges throughout his lengthy career, Hewitt was both one of the most watchable players on tour and one of its most versatile talents.

As he bid farewell to an illustrious and decorated career, Hewitt was able to say goodbye to a sport he loves in front of his people, bowing out his way.

"Just feeling fortunate that I was able to finish my career on this court," he said.

Doing things his way. That's all Lleyton Hewitt ever wanted.