Dan Evans' professional tennis career came to an end in the first round of the men's doubles at Wimbledon.
The 36-year-old announced in early June that he would retire at the end of the championships.
Evans was not given a wildcard into the single main draw and then failed to make it through Wimbledon singles qualifying.
It left his partnership with Henry Searle as the last hope for one final memorable run.
However, Evans and Searle were beaten in straight sets as ninth seeds Hugo Nys and Edouard Roger-Vasselin eased to a 6-2 6-4 victory.
"It was amazing," Evans said.
"Sometimes you take this tournament for granted when you're in the midst of your career and you're trying to get better and better.
"I said last night to my agent that I've really enjoyed just walking around, taking it all in and watching some of the other Brits and this week. It has been sort of fitting that I didn't really have to do too much so I could take it in."
Spectators scrambled for one of the limited seats on Court 15, with plenty others peering to look through as they walked past.
Evans and Searle were broken in their opening game and were never able to drag themselves back into the set.
The seeds kept the Brits at arm's length, never particularly troubled on serve, and then broke again when 5-2 up to wrap up the set.
The second set was more even but still Evans and Searle struggled to make an impression in their return games.
When they were broken to trail 5-3, they had yet to earn a single break point themselves.
Roger-Vasselin stepped up to serve for the match but Evans threatened to drag himself back from the abyss one final time.
The British duo earned their first break point, though Evans could not get enough on the lob and Searle had the smash launched at him.
It proved to be second time lucky. Roger-Vasselin double faulted to put it back on serve at 5-4, the roar that greeted it echoing around the grounds.
However, Evans' career was extended by just one game. The seeds earned a second match point and this one was taken.
Evans sat down for a few seconds and took in the ovation for one final time, before rising in tears to acknowledge the crowd.
He said: "I'm all good. It is just emotional, isn't it? You just think of your family and all of the sacrifices that we've made. You live out your dreams here, don't you?
"This tournament is what I grew up watching. I remember getting home from school and watching Wimbledon, and I was one of the lucky few that got to play here in the end.
"Everything was worth it in the end. For anybody thinking twice about putting the effort in, I can tell you it is worth it. It hasn't been as bad as sometimes we think it is.
"I've enjoyed every minute that I've played on these courts."
It was an understated end to a career that took Evans up to No21 in the world and a Davis Cup title.
Rather than a Centre Court farewell or a blockbuster showdown, Evans was instead sent off by four words from the crowd: "Three cheers for Evo!"
