ROSS HUTCHINS will be in attendance at Roland Garros this week, but his visit will be strictly business.

The 30-year-old from Wimbledon, who officially retired from the sport last September following his full recovery from Hodgkins lymphoma, has embarked on a new existence as vice president of player relations at the ATP World Tour.

Essentially a mediator between the competing demands of the tournament directors and the players themselves, the second grand slam of the year is viewed as a prime networking and business opportunity.

"It is a great tournament but I will be there for the meetings," Hutchins told Herald Sport. "It is not an ATP event but all of our players, unless they are injured, will pretty much be playing. The slams are often where people congregate. From players, to coaches, to agents, ATP staff, to ITF staff, it is a place where you get some good business done."

Hutchins these days is a club player, but his is no ordinary club. While it was the thought of a return to competitive tennis which drove him on through his illness, some sporadic early successes didn't blind him to the realisation that his levels would not return to what they once were. The sharp end of playing the sport for him now is a few matches for the All England Club members' team or an impromptu practice session with one of the current players who pop in there from time to time, "...when they are really desperate".

Those who have been through illness are always vigilant for its return, not least as the interim period has been punctuated by the loss of Elena Baltacha to liver cancer just over a year ago. At first thought to be a back muscle problem, then kidney stones, the discovery of fairly advanced cancer to Hutchins' lymphatic system presaged a six-month course of chemotherapy, the likes of former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov one of the first on the phone to offer support. Hutchins' year off was enlivened by the memorable 'rally against cancer' event at Queen's, which raised around £350,000 for the Royal Marsden cancer unit, with Murray handing over his entire £75,000 winners' cheque.

"When you have been through an illness of any kind you have to be aware of relapse, something coming back, but then you never know what is round the corner in the first place," said Hutchins. "I can't be as gung-ho physically as I once was. I have to watch myself a bit more and have regular check-ups and tests. But ultimately I feel strong, I feel healthy and I enjoy life."

If anything, the relationship between the Scot and the Englishman has only solidified in recent times. While Andy Murray has been best man at Hutchins' marriage to his long term partner Lindsay, Hutchins repaid the favour as one of three 'best men' at the Scot's recent happy event at Dunblane. He opted for a smart suit, rather than be persuaded to don a kilt for the occasion.

"Andy and I have known each other a long time and we have been through everything together, the wins and the losses, from a very young age to the current day," said Hutchins. "He was as instrumental throughout my illness as he was throughout my tennis career and now my working life. He's a top man, a great guy who is more than just a brilliant tennis player. He has so many morals and values which I really appreciate."

As for the tennis, the World No 3 has never been known as a clay court specialist - at least not until two back-to-back title wins on the surface in the last month - but Hutchins believes that analysis does his friend a disservice. "He has always been a good clay court player - he just hasn't played that many clay court events, either through injury or choice," he added. "When a player of his ability gets confident on any surface he is very hard to beat. There are some fantastic players on the clay but he is fit, healthy, strong and has won matches so who knows?"

Andy Murray is not the only Scot who will participate in this fortnight's proceedings in Paris. While Maia Lumsden will take part in the junior girls' event, Hutchins will cast a particularly keen eye on events in the doubles, where one of his lifelong friends, Jamie Murray and his Australian partner John Peers, have currently usurped his long-time doubles partner Colin Fleming, who now plays with Jonny Marray, as Britain's pre-eminent doubles pairing.

"It happens sometimes in sport," said Hutchins. "Jamie has had a great start to the year, he and John Peers are ranked No 5 in the world and obviously qualifying for the top eight teams for the ATP Tour finals will be a big goal of his. Colin's level is very high, he just needs a break, having lost some close matches. I probably know him better than anybody in the tour, he was the guy I relied on. I spoke to him yesterday and I am sure he will be back to the top of his game in no time."

And as for that day job, if three days of sell-out crowds at the Emirates Arena for the Davis Cup tie against the USA in March revealed the box office appeal of tennis in this country, is it ludicrous to entertain the notion of us hosting an ATP Masters event in Scotland?

"We have interest from many countries and cities in the world and tennis in Scotland is huge, it has a very, very strong following," said Hutchins. "So absolutely they could be involved in the tour at some point in the future. I am not sure whether Masters 1000 is possible immediately but to be involved in tour events of course it is possible. I would have no problem in welcoming that idea."