British tennis player Ross Hutchins has announced his retirement from playing.

The 28-year-old doubles player missed the entire season last year after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

However, Hutchins, who is close friends with British number one Andy Murray, returned to action earlier this year after recovering from the disease.

Hutchins said in a statement: "After much deliberation I feel it is the right time for me to stop playing professional sport and pursue new goals as I enter the next phase of my career. I feel strong and healthy and I look forward to moving onto the next chapter of my life.

"I have been incredibly fortunate in my tennis career and I am proud of what I have been able to achieve, a lot of which would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of those close to me."

Earlier this month, Hutchins reached the semi-finals of the mixed doubles at the US Open with Chan Yung-jan of Taiwan.