World number three Roger Federer has delayed his ATP World Tour return by a month and plans to make his comeback from knee surgery at the Monte Carlo Masters in April.

The 17-times grand slam champion had initially intended to return in March at the elite Indian Wells Masters in California where he has won the title four times.

In a Facebook post, the 34-year-old Federer said: “I have now had a lot of great practices on the court and in the gym. As it is a long year, I don’t want to push it too hard.

“I will unfortunately not be able to make it back in time for the great event in Indian Wells but I do plan on playing in the desert next year.

“After consultation with my team, I have decided to enter the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters. Thanks for the support and I will see you back on tour soon,” the Swiss added.

Federer had arthroscopic knee surgery in Switzerland earlier this month to repair a torn meniscus, having suffered the injury away from a tennis court the day after his Australian Open run ended in the semi-finals.

He withdrew from the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with the intention of returning for the March 10-20 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in California, US.

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