Australian Open 2014: Hutchins makes winning return with Fleming

Ross Hutchins marked his return to Grand Slam tennis after recovering from cancer with a win as he and doubles partner Colin Fleming progressed through to the second round of the Australian Open.

Hutchins, 28, missed the entire 2013 season after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in December 2012 before returning to competitive action alongside Fleming late last year.

It’s an amazing feeling to be back, and especially to get our first win since coming back in 2014

Ross Hutchins

But the British pair, who competed in the men’s doubles at London 2012 together, made a winning start in Melbourne as they defeated Australian Marinko Matosevic and Poland’s Michal Przysiezny 4-6 6-4 6-0.

It was their first victory since coming back together and Hutchins admitted it felt good to be back on court winning alongside his partner.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be back, and especially to get our first win since coming back in 2014,” said Hutchins.

“I think we have played some good tennis throughout this year so far, but unfortunately we lost our first two matches. My level probably wasn’t as high as I hoped it had been.

“But I think we did well to dig out a win today. It was brilliant and I’m loving the feeling right now.

“It’s been a strange 12 months. I don’t actually remember that clearly, the last year. So much has happened in terms of other things off court and with the illnesses and different issues.

“But I don’t tend to think of it as, ‘Oh, a year ago I was in hospital’. I almost think that, ‘Well, I’ve still been playing the last six or seven years and I’m back with Colin’. It doesn’t feel like I’ve missed a year.”