Federer shifts focus to French Open post third round exit in Monte Carlo Masters

17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer is not brooding over his defeat to Gael Monfils in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Thursday and has instead shifted his focus on Roland Garros, planning ahead to his next ATP appearance at the new Istanbul clay event starting on April 27.

Federer, who was defeated 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), has got five weeks until the start of the French Open and says that the only thing he needs to do is go out on the court and practice, adding that he needs to play many hours and see what works best.

The 17-time Grand Slam winner, who has never claimed the title in the principality, said that they would analyse the practice he had on clay and those matches with coaches Severin Luthi and Stefan Edberg, insisting that they would try to see what the problems are, Sport24 reported.

Federer said that the important thing is to play well in practice and to play many sets, adding that he would be able to see what works and what doesn't.

The Swiss said that he thinks he knows a little bit how to play tennis. He said that it's not like he is starting from scratch.

Federer will assess his next moves back home in Switzerland and could well bring in another young player as a temporary sparring partner over the coming days. He said that it's the very beginning of the clay court season and it's going to take him some time to feel 100 per cent comfortable.

But, the former world number one added that it was a good week for him anyways to go there and practice with the best, play a couple of matches. He said that he is going to go back to Switzerland and practice really hard from whatever the plan's going to be from now on until Istanbul.