Ross Hutchins touched by support from players and fans
10th January 2013
Ross Hutchins, who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer, has spoken about how touched and overwhelmed he has been by the amount of support he has received from players and fans around the world.
“All the messages I have received from players and on twitter has been overwhelming. There are millions of people going through this and when it is actually you, I can’t actually get my head around it.
I’m very touched and all the messages I have got, I have read every single one. All the players have been particularly supportive, in particular Colin (Fleming) and Andy (Murray) of course. Andy is my closest friend and was the first person outside my family I told.
I have to say I was surprised when he dedicated the title in Brisbane to me and it brought a tear to my eye. He has been very involved talking to me every day, with lots of encouragement and doing a lot of research into the condition online. That’s probably a side to him people don’t realise.
One of my dreams would be to see him go a step further at Wimbledon next year, which is around the time I’m due to finish treatment. It would be great to have a positive outcome for both of us.”
“The treatment plan going forward will involve chemotherapy and they reckon I’ll need about six cycles which will be approximately six months’ worth. Hopefully I’ll be in remission then and will be able to look at returning to the courts by the end of the season, but it all depends how I respond. I have been staying very positive, and looking forward to getting back on court will get me through this as well as the support of all my family and friends.
I have to say the entire team at Royal Marsden hospital have been outstanding. It’s not until you go in there, you realise how many people have cancer and how many are receiving treatment. The work they do there is very inspiring.”
Hutchins, along with partner Colin Fleming, has won titles at Eastbourne and Delray Beach in 2012 and also teamed up for Team GB at London 2012, has a decisively positive attitude towards his treatment.