A beaming Ivo Karlovic said he was overjoyed at what he had achieved on his Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon this week and planned an evening of celebration despite his third-round defeat on Friday.

The gentle giant, at 6ft 10 inches (2.08 metres) the tallest player ever to have competed at Wimbledon, made history by ousting defending champion Lleyton Hewitt in the first round.

After claiming another Australian scalp in qualifier Paul Baccanello, the 203-ranked Karlovic was eventually felled 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 by a player just under two metres tall, Belarussian Max Mirnyi.

"I'm so happy, it's been an incredible experience to come here and win on the Centre Court against the mighty Hewitt," Karlovic said.

"It's going to help my confidence when I play in other tournaments."

The shy 24-year-old qualifier has found himself in the spotlight since earning his place in history when world number two Hewitt became the first champion since tennis turned professional in 1968 to lose in the first round.

The heroics of the Croatian have endeared him to the Wimbledon crowds and earned him a congratulatory call from his hero Goran Ivanisevic, winner here as a wildcard in 2001.

Karlovic said he believed people liked him because he played from the heart, but said his new-found popularity had come as a shock to his girlfriend, who arrived in London in time to watch Friday's match.

Karlovic's game will undoubtedly benefit from the experience of his first Grand Slam, but the Croatian will also enjoy the financial bonus his progress in the tournament has afforded him.

After his first-round victory he was able to upgrade to a more luxurious hotel with a bed large enough for his lofty frame. His initial hotel room was so small he had to use a bag and chair to extend his bed.