Ross Hutchins returns to competitive tennis

Ross Hutchins played his first competitive match in over a year on Wednesday as he and doubles partner Colin Fleming were beaten by Jeremy Chardy and Grigor Dimitrov.

Chardy and Dimitrov prevailed 0-6 6-4 10-4 in the first round of the Brisbane International in a match that saw exactly 100 points contested. Hutchins and Fleming won 54 of those points, but this match was about more that just the result.

Hutchins spent most of 2013 receiving treatment for, and then recovering from, Hodgkin lymphoma. He discovered the illness after seeking a diagnosis for a back complaint, but, by the time the cancer was detected, it had spread through his body.

He went into remission in July and spent the end of the year preparing for his return to the court.

Next on the agenda for Hutchins and Fleming is the Australian Open, which begins on January 13.