MAKE sure you don't miss Lleyton Hewitt's last match tonight. And while you're at it grab a ticket to John Farnham's farewell concert, Danny Green's final fight and Michael Hussey's valedictory innings.
No, seriously, Hewitt cannot hold back time again. The accomplished eighth seed David Ferrer will usher him to The Doors: "This is the end, beautiful friend, the end." That sentimental first- round victory over James Duckworth? A wonderfully uplifting occasion, if slightly awkward. What Davis Cup captain wants to publicly demonstrate he can beat a member of his squad? For his first "last match", Hewitt wore a red, white and blue shirt that looked like a superhero costume. Call him Captain Australia. But - C'mon! - unless the 34 year-old's superpower is turning arthritis into athleticism, his racquets will be on eBay by midnight. Surely? 
Recent history screams that all that is left of Lleyton Hewitt is ... Lleyton Hewitt. A name. A reputation, although one still so imposing it can tempt even the most level-headed analyst to second-guess the cold statistics and make an unforced error.
So you consider Ferrer's far superior recent form, superb fitness and the fact Hewitt's only victory over the Spaniard was at Wimbledon more than nine years ago. Yet still you can't stop entertaining the absurdly sentimental notion of an upset. You cannot resist the preposterous idea Hewitt has one more big match in him.
Hewitt's form-line suggests you should be looking for a blindfold and a cigarette. That reputation makes you look for precedents to justify the ridiculous. Like how Jimmy Connors - the attack dog with whom Hewitt has often been compared - reached the semi-finals of the 1991 US Open aged 39 despite having spent less time on the court in the previous year than most of the ball boys.
Even fearless Hewitt admits he is up against it. "He's like a brick wall out there," he said of Ferrer, no doubt prompting a wry smile from a generation of opponents who had the same thought playing him.
But as much as any of the achievements celebrated this week, the very idea Hewitt - old, aching, 308th-ranked Hewitt - can win tonight might be the greatest tribute. Win or lose, it is Hewitt's indomitable spirit that is being celebrated. Even by those of us who once believed the ends the younger Hewitt employed did not always justify the means.
Farewells invite reminiscence. My earliest experience of Hewitt was at his first French Open in 1999 where the then-18-year-old spent most of his first-round match hurling profanities at Argentinian opponent Martin Rodriguez and, after a five-set defeat, his racquet into the net.
Way back then Hewitt's laudable unwillingness to concede a single point overwhelmed him. It would not allow him to entertain defeat as an inevitable part of the game. Consequently Hewitt was a gladiator without grace. Now, happily, the unfortunate aspects of Hewitt's career provide a context for his remarkable talent, durability, perseverance and - those much closer to his inner sanctum testify - even wisdom.
And while other former world No. 1s could not stand the routine beatings from journeymen, Hewitt's abiding love of the game and lust for competition has kept him out there.
HEWITT V FERRER LLEYTON HEWITT (Aust) Born:   February 24, 1981 Birthplace: Adelaide Lives: Nassau, Bahamas Height: 178cm Weight: 61kg Turned pro: 1998 World ranking: 308 Highest ranking: 1 Career prizemoney: $US20,717,156 Career titles: 30 Grand Slam titles: 2
DAVID FERRER (Spain) Born:   April 2, 1982 Birthplace: Javea, Spain Lives: Valencia, Spain Height: 175cm Weight: 73kg Turned pro: 2000 World ranking: 8 Highest ranking: 3 Career prizemoney: $US28,390,804 Career titles: 26 Grand Slam titles: 0Ferrer leads head-to-head 2-1