SPORTING greats coming to the end of their careers seem to become acutely aware of every opportunity to grasp one last moment of glory.

That was evident in the opening week of the Australian Open in the performances of Lleyton Hewitt, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Hewitt looked like he had the bit firmly between his teeth after taking the first two sets of his second-round clash with Benjamin Becker.

But the Aussie hero’s 33 years seemed to catch up with him as his German opponent produced some inspired tennis to roar back to win 2-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

Coincidentally, Becker’s victory against Andre Agassi in the third round of the US Open in 2006 prompted the American maestro to hang up his racket at the age36.

Hewitt’s capitulation in his 19th consecutive Australian Open left similar doubts over his future, just as Federer’s tame surrender to unfancied Italian Andreas Seppi did yesterday.

The Swiss legend, also 33, looked shaky in his second-round match against Simone Bolelli, when he lost the opening set and called on the trainer to inspect a mystery sting on his hand.

Federer was not about to walk away from the chance to extend his record of 17 grand slam titles, and somehow recovered his composure to make it through.

But it was clear against Seppi that the one-time unbeatable star of the world game is now playing on memory.

Both Federer and Hewitt have done well to continue competing for honours at the top level of a sport in which most players reach their peak in their mid twenties.

Likewise, Nadal is also finding it tough going.

At 28, the Spaniard still has time on his side as he bids to add to his 14 grand slam titles and surpass Federer’s standing as the greatest.

But Nadal’s star is also on the wane. He has been plagued by a knee injury over the past two seasons and is only just returning after having his appendix removed.

The undisputed King of Clay had to dig deep to make it through the second round after suffering sickness and dizzy spells during his five-set victory over American qualifier Tim Smyczek.

Unlike Federer, though, he recovered to make it through to the second week with a regulation three-set victory against Dudi Sela in the third round yesterday.

And even if he fails to add to his grand slam tally in Melbourne, no-one would bet against Nadal claiming a record 10th French Open title in June.

It is clear though that the clock is ticking on Nadal’s career and it remains to be seen if he will follow Federer and Hewitt to prove the adage that, just like old rockers, tennis champions never die, they just fade away.