Roger Federer will make his return to the ATP tour next week in Monte Carlo. The first clay masters of the season will see the return of the Swiss number one to the courts. Federer has been missing from the action since the end of the Australian Open. He was due to play the Miami masters, but was forced to withdraw due to injury, thus providing an opening for a lucky loser spot in the second round that was taken by Horacio Zeballos.
Federer Finally Back On Tour
Knee Surgery
Federer had been missing from the tour since January, as he suffered a knee injury whilst running a bath for his twin daughters. This had resulted in the need for surgery on the knee, putting the Swiss star out of action. The original plan had been to return for the clay court season, with Monte Carlo being high on the list for the comeback. After spending 12 weeks on crutches, Federer hit the courts in Miami to start the practice and had been entered into the main draw.
Miami withdrawl
The Swiss had always said that he would play if everything felt right with his body, and was duly placed into the main draw, and like the other seeds received a bye in the first round. Before his match had occurred though, news spread that a withdrawl was coming. Federer insisted that it was nothing to do with a knee problem that made him pull out, but that he was suffering from a a virus.
Monte Carlo
As the original plan following the surgery was to return to the ATP tour for the European clay court season, Monte Carlo was always on the cards as the comeback event. Federer fans will be pleased to see his name on the draw sheet, as will the tournament organisers. The Swiss star is such a big draw to any event that all tournaments will want him to stay fit and healthy to take part.
Draw
The Swiss number one may not be happy with his draw in Monte Carlo, as he finds himself in the same half of the draw as World Number one Novak Djokovic, who appears unstoppable right now. Can Federer stop the Serbian in his tracks in Monte Carlo or will Djokovic again be dominating everyone in his way?
Whatever the outcome in Monte Carlo, it will be good to have Federer back amongst the action, he has been missed on the tour.
Main Photo: Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball to Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany during their 2015 US Open men’s singles round 3 match at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 5, 2015. Federer won 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. AFP PHOTO/JEWEL SAMAD (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
