Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Lleyton Hewitt, one of the most committed Davis Cup fighters in recent years who twice won the 115 year-old trophy, has hit his last ball in the competition after Australia were beaten by Britain in the Glasgow-based semi-final.

Hewitt, a Davis Cup winner against France at Nice in 1999 and again four years later against Spain on home ground of Melbourne, figured in a notable contest on Saturday but lost out in fractionally less than four hours as he and Sam Groth were beaten in five sets by Andy and Jamie Murray.

With his 35th birthday approaching in February, the Adelaide born player intends to retire after next January’s Australian Open. Prior to that he intends to contest the Hopman Cup in Perth.

And Hewitt insisted there will be no second thoughts. “I don’t think I’d reconsider,” he said in Glasgow. “I don’t think I’d just play Davis Cup, much as I love the competition. No, my plans are still exactly the same.”

Hewitt is expected to be named Australia’s next Davis Cup captain although he is yet unsure whether they will be next year and Wally Masur has intimated he would welcome another year in charge. Meantime he will retire with four Australian Davis Cup records, as the winner of the most rubbers (58), the winner of more singles rubbers (42) than any of his countrymen, the most ties played (41) and the most years played (17).

Andy Murray practiced his weekend opponent’s commitment when he said: “It’s a shame that he’s retiring but I’ve spoken to him a lot over the past couple of years, and practiced with him a lot, and he’s definitely got everything out of his body.

“He’s had a number of surgeries and various issues and still always given his best when he’s played the Davis Cup. He’s got an incredible attitude, he fights so hard in every match and yesterday was a very good example of that, how well he played considering how little tennis he has played in the last 18 months.”

Masur, who took over as Aussie captain from Patrick Rafter at the beginning of this year, concurred when he said: “What do you say about Lleyton? It’s always been there to see. He’s put everything out on the court and it was no different yesterday.

“The very first point I saw him play was as a junior at the US Open. He hasn’t changed a bit since then. He’s full of enthusiasm. He’s like electricity.

“He’s a good team man. He likes the team environment. Does a lot behind the scenes and he’s been a good mentor to the younger Australian players.”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.