Roger Federer Will Play at Monte Carlo for the First Time Since 2009

Roger Federer announced his intention earlier today that he would participate at the upcoming Monte Carlo Masters this year. It is an appearance that could potentially revive the success he has recorded here in the past, being a finalist on three straight occasions form 2006-8. Yet, how much can we read into this move by Federer, and his scheduling team?

Surely, it shouldn't be taken out of the context, too, of his decision to play for Switzerland at the next Davis Cup tie in summer. There is something oddly coincidental about this sudden urge to add two events to what had been a rather sparse and relaxing calendar for 2011. One suspects, perhaps ominously, that this would have something to do with the recent happenings in the tennis world, and, no doubt, with his own performance of late.

He has won a title, reached a grand slam semifinal and a final in the first three months of the year. Not bad results at all—if you are anyone but Roger Federer. Most glaring, of course, is the fact that he has lost to Novak Djokovic twice in a row, for two tournaments in a row. The world number three has thwarted the Swiss in two straight title attempts, and, hounding like an unwanted unfriendly neighbour, is breathing down Federer's neck, just 165 points from the number two ranking.

Dubai had brought Federer some points, but Djokovic's defense of his two-time championship there meant he lost no points, either. The main battle, from now to the clay season, is that for the world number two ranking. Therein, perhaps, lies some explanation for Federer's sudden inclusion of Monte Carlo in his calendar.

In 2008, he had used the tournament as a fine warmup for Roland Garros, and in 2009, had a lackadaisical run to the quarterfinals. Last year, he opted to skip the French Riviera's keynote city. This year, one suspects that, barring all cynical reasons of consolidating his number two ranking heading into Roland Garros, Federer returns to Monte Carlo, seeking to win a title that had eluded him thrice in a row in the final round.

Besides, it will be a joy to watch the Swiss maestro play his usual brand of nonchalant, artistic tennis, in one of the most picturesque events on the ATP calendar. Of course, there's the unwritten hope, too, that he will repeat a final appearance against Rafael Nadal, who is the six-time defending champion.

The cynical side of things, however, may and should rule in this case. There can be no doubt that the lure of ranking points, in his defense of the number two ranking and his quest for the world number one ranking, is lying heavily on Federer's mind.