Gael Monfils handed place in draw for Monte Carlo Masters
Last Updated: March 22, 2013 5:14pm
Gael Monfils has been handed a wildcard to the Monte Carlo Masters after a year that has been wrecked by knee problems.
The Frenchman's ranking has dropped to 99 and he has not played since a first-round defeat by Marcel Granollers in the Open 13 last month.
Monfils was ranked as high as No 7 in the world as recently as 2011 but his career has been on a downward spiral since.
"I'm delighted to be able to take part in the Monte Carlo Masters this year," Monfils said after learning of his call into the 13-21 April tournament.
"I will be doing a specific (training) program on clay throughout March in order to be ready for the (clay court) season, which I hope will enable me to climb back up the rankings."
The field will also include world No 1 Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who will be bidding for his ninth straight title in the principality, while Andy Murray, David Ferrer and Tomas Berdych will also take part.
