Great Britain’s Ross Hutchins has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and will take time away from the sport to battle the cancer. The 27-year-old, who is close friends with Andy Murray, won two doubles titles in 2012 with Colin Fleming.
“Unfortunately I will be away from tennis for a while as I was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” Hutchins tweeted. “I am doing well, very positive with excellent medical support, friends and family around me.”
After winning the Brisbane International on Sunday, an emotional Murray dedicated the title run to a “sick friend,” presumably Hutchins.
“You’re going to be OK. You’re going to get through,” Murray said.
Former Top 20 player Alisa Kleybanova recently battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma for 10 months before attempting a comeback at Miami in March 2012, but did not play another tournament after that, as she was lacking stamina. She recently told TENNIS.com that she is planning on returning to the tour in either February or March.