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 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 on Friday, 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 and come back too
soon.
"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.
However, Federer has now set his sights on the clay surface of Monte
Carlo for the April 10-17 ATP World Tour Masters.
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The Swiss maestro has rarely missed any tournaments for health
reasons during his remarkable 18-year professional career.
In 2005 Federer was out of action for six weeks while he recovered
from foot injury and during 2008 he was troubled by a bout of
mononucleosis and back problems.
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes; Editing by Tony Jimenez/Larry
Fine)
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