Farewelling with no regrets, Lleyton Hewitt says he “left nothing in the locker room” after his storied 20-year, 878-match professional tennis career came to a close with a sapping second-round loss at the Australian Open.

Spanish party pooper David Ferrer ended an era in Australian sport with a 6-2 6-4 6-4 victory over the wounded warrior in a gripping encounter that ended in controversial fashion on Thursday night.

Hewitt, who got emotional on Rod Laver Arena following a players’ tribute, says it was hard to describe his feelings knowing his career is now over.

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

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“As I’ve always said I’m such a competitor. I try to push myself all the time to get the most out of myself. Obviously it was in the back of my mind coming into every match this week. I have had a fantastic last month.

“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.”

Tennis stars pay homage to an Aussie hero

Ferrer made his own touching tribute to Hewitt after the match, revealing that the only piece of tennis memorabilia he has hanging in his house is a shirt signed by the Aussie seven years ago.

“He’s one of the best players in history and I have to tell you that … I don’t have (many) idols, but Lleyton is my idol,” Ferrer said.

David Ferrer and Lleyton Hewitt share a moment at the net. Photo: AAP

“I have a shirt signed by him seven years ago … it’s the only t-shirt of a tennis player I have.

“He’s an amazing player. He deserves everything. Tonight is the day for him, not for me.”

There were also video messages from Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Nick Kyrgios, who offered their thanks for what Hewitt has done for the game.

Rod Laver Arena was again packed with former Aussie tennis champion Pat Rafter and wife Lara, along with countless other tennis luminaries, celebrities and sports stars including triple world surfing champion Mick Fanning.

They’d been hoping to see the former world No.1 and dual grand slam champion wind back the clock at least one more time.

But eighth-seeded Ferrer showed his class to put away Hewitt – who battled a thigh strain throughout – in two hours and 32 minutes.

“I came out, I gave everything I had like always and left nothing in the locker room,” Hewitt said.

“That’s something I can be proud of. My whole career I’ve given 100 per cent. I love competing.”

But he’ll compete no more.

Click on the owl   for Lleyton Hewitt’s career numbers

Instead, the father of three will turn his attention to his new role as Australia’s 19th Davis Cup captain.

“Rod Laver Arena, it’s like a second home for me,” he said.

“I’m just so lucky to keep having this opportunity 20 years in a row.

Hewitt left the court for the final time flanked by his three children. Photo: Getty

“I just felt like this was the perfect place to finish.

“I was getting goose bumps out here tonight.”

A part-time player for much of the past year since announcing after his second-round Open loss in 2015 that this would be his farewell to the sport, Hewitt still dared to dream following his first-round triumph over James Duckworth.

“I want six more,” the Hall of Famer said before Hunters and Collectors’ Holy Grail was belted out on the sound system during his warm-up on Thursday night.

In reality, there was never going to be a fairytale finish for the veteran dream believer.

In an unprecedented 20 straight Open appearances, Hewitt’s best result will forever remain his epic run to the 2005 final that ended in a four-set defeat at the hands of Marat Safin.

He failed to venture beyond the fourth round any other year since becoming the youngest Open qualifier in history at just 15 in 1997.

Hewitt’s career highlighted by achievement

Hewitt will nevertheless be remembered and ranked among the modern-day greats of Australian tennis, up there with fellow former world No.1s John Newcombe and Rafter and behind only the legend after which the arena where Hewitt made his last stand was named.

He won 30 career singles titles, including the 2001 US Open and 2002 Wimbledon crown and twice claimed the ATP’s season-ending tournament (2001, 2002).

He was the youngest men’s world No.1 ever when he achieved the ranking aged just 20 and spent a total of 80 weeks in the coveted position.

Rusty got a bit teary during the players’ tribute. Photo: AAP

“He’s just been one of the greatest competitors I have ever seen in my life,” said world No.1 and five-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic.

“Tennis will definitely miss a great competitor, a great fighter.”

How the match played out

After losing five straight games to drop the first set, and then needing treatment for a leg injury, Hewitt displayed all his trademark grit to conjure seven break-back chances in an epic game while trailing 4-3 in the second set.

Alas, there was no break back as Ferrer held on before serving out a two-sets-to-love lead.

A winner of 32 five-set encounters – behind only all-time greats Ivan Lendl (36), Ilie Nastase (35) and Pete Sampras (33) in the professional era – Hewitt was unable to conjure a famous comeback this time around.

But a fighter to the bitter end, Hewitt tried everything to drag himself back into the contest, including a career-first “tweener”, a second medical time-out and a venomous spray of chair umpire Pascal Maria after copping a series of untimely foot faults deep in the third set.

.@lleytonhewitt pulls a @nickkyrgios! #tweeny #hewbeauty https://t.co/WqnrK4Mxgr

— 7Tennis (@7tennis) January 21, 2016

Hewitt branded the linesman a “moron” and demanded Maria “get rid of him”.

Ferrer, though, was not to be denied, staying cool amid the fury and steadying after dropping serve for the only time to break Hewitt once again and clinch victory.

Ferrer will meet 31st seed Steve Johnson in the third round.

David Ferrer plays a backhand against Lleyton Hewitt. Photo: AAP

-AAP, with ABC