Surf legend Kelly Slater chokes back tears and gets emotional about his family after loss in Australia ends his incredible career

It was almost fitting that it took the current world No.1 to bring down the curtain on the greatest career in surfing history.

Kelly Slater, the 11-time world champion, chose to give Griffin Colapinto a hug as the clock ticked down in their round of 32 heat at the Margaret River Pro on Tuesday with one final miracle escape beyond the 52-year-old legend.

Slater needed a win in WA to survive the mid-season cut. After surviving an elimination heat on Tuesday morning at Main Break, he found the current rankings leader Colapinto too much to handle.

Slater was chaired off the beach and up the stairs to loud cheers, with a high five from fellow American Colapinto on the way through, before revealing he'd asked for a wildcard into the next event in Fiji because he didn't want to end on a wave that had never been kind to him.

'It's so much emotion for so long, so much dedication,' he said, choking back the tears.

'It's not all roses, you know? But it's been the best time of my life.

'My family is at home watching, love you guys.

'I couldn't quite pull a miracle off this week but I pulled a few off over the years.

'I still had that hope out there, you know? One might pop up with a minute to go.

'But to lose to the No.1 you know Griff [Griffin Colapinto] is the No.1 guy, I've been close friends with Griff for a long time.

'So I am kind of avoiding that emotion, because it is all right there bubbling up.

'But it hit me at Sunset [Hurley Pro Sunset Beach] this year [where Slater first said he was questioning whether to retire].'

Slater has dominated surfing unlike anyone else over his three decades on tour but said the time was right to move on with a baby due in three months.

'It's been an incredible lifetime of memories,' he said.

Australian surfing champion Mick Fanning led a chorus of tributes for Slater, hailing him for inspiring a whole generation of surfers.

'Congratulations on such an incredible career,' Fanning posted.

'What you did for the sport of surfing is unrivalled. Pushing the limits of what is possible.

'The dedication to your craft inspired everyone to become better.

'Thank you for all the memories and battles. It was truly an honour to share heats, surfs and experiences over the years.

'You taught me what it takes to become a champion in and out of the water.

'Wishing you all the very best for your future and your new growing family. Love and respect.'

Slater's legacy will be winning the World Surf League Championship a record-breaking 11 times, making him widely regarded as the greatest surfer ever with 56 Championship Tour victories.

He began surfing at age five, demonstrating early talent by winning his first United States championship title at age 10 and securing a third-place finish in the junior division at the world amateur championships in England at 16.

Slater turned professional in 1990, quickly making his mark by winning his first contest on the Bud Pro Tour and qualifying for the World Surf League Championship Tour the following year.

Despite a challenging start, finishing 43rd in his first year, Slater won his first professional tour event in 1992, becoming the youngest world champion in surfing at age 20.

He dominated the sport throughout the 1990s, securing five consecutive world titles from 1994 to 1998, a period that also saw televised surfing events grow in popularity.

After a brief hiatus from competitive surfing at the end of 1998, Slater returned to the tour in 2002, continuing to achieve significant victories and maintain an influential presence in professional surfing.

Slater's career accolades include three Triple Crown of Surfing Championships, eight Pipeline Masters Championships, and victories in major surf competitions around the world, such as the Hurley Pro at Trestles, Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Billabong Pro Tahiti, and others.

His achievements have earned him induction into the Surfers' Hall of Fame.