[Eden]

My French isn't the best, but apparently Roger plays a preparation tournament before the French Open which takes place from May 20th to 22nd. Other players in the field are Nadal, Murray, Nalbandian, Monfils, Blake or Safin.

Maybe someone can translate the original article below:

Du beau monde à Paris avant Roland-Garros
08/04/2009-[10:20] - Sports.fr

Rueil-Malmaison accueillera la crème du tennis mondial du 20 au 22 mai, soit deux jours avant le début de Roland-Garros, à l’occasion du premier Masters Guinot Mary Cohr. Ainsi, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, David Nalbandian, Gaël Monfils, James Blake ou encore Marat Safin ont répondu présent pour disputer un tournoi de préparation sur les courts en terre battue de la ville des Hauts-de-Seine. L’occasion pour certains des grands favoris aux Internationaux de France 2009 de se tester une dernière fois avant d’entrer en scène sur les courts de la Porte d’Auteuil.

Here's the link to the tournament: http://www.guinotmarycohrmasters.com/?C=D;O=A#

[MariaV]

To answer the original question - yes he absolutely should.

[^Sue^]

No, he shouldn't skip bcos' he shd focus on winning his French Open this year..the coming years are tough for him to hold the French Open's trophy with a bunch of new budding stars coming out recently..... Plus, if he skip, what'll b the advantage of it???

[Sunset of Age]

Originally Posted by Eden

My French isn't the best, but apparently Roger plays a preparation tournament before the French Open which takes place from May 20th to 22nd. Other players in the field are Nadal, Murray, Nalbandian, Monfils, Blake or Safin.

You got it quite right there. Okay, a lousy attempt from my head:

Tennis stars will be in Paris before Roland-Garros
08/04/2009-[10:20] - Sports.fr

[The Paris Golf & Country Club of] Rueil-Malmaison will receive the top stars of worldwide tennis from 20 till 22 May, two days before the beginning of Roland-Garros, for the first Masters Guinot Mary Cohr[-tournament]. As such, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, David Nalbandian, Gaël Monfils, James Blake or alternatively, Marat Safin, have been announced to compete for a preparation tournament on clay court at the city of Hauts-de-Seines. This will provide an opportunity for some of the big favourites for the French Open of 2009 to practice a last time before entering the stages on the courts of the Porte d'Auteuil.

Something like that.
So, IF THIS IS TRUE, Roger will indeed attend an (invitational) preparation tournament before RG. About which I have to admit having mixed feelings.

Skipping Estoril and Monte Carlo, but indeed appearing here? Hmmm hmmm.

[nobama]

Originally Posted by Stupid Dream

You got it quite right there. Okay, a lousy attempt from my head:

Tennis stars will be in Paris before Roland-Garros
08/04/2009-[10:20] - Sports.fr

[The Paris Golf & Country Club of] Rueil-Malmaison will receive the top stars of worldwide tennis from 20 till 22 May, two days before the beginning of Roland-Garros, for the first Masters Guinot Mary Cohr[-tournament]. As such, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, David Nalbandian, Gaël Monfils, James Blake or alternatively, Marat Safin, have been announced to compete for a preparation tournament on clay court at the city of Hauts-de-Seines. This will provide an opportunity for some of the big favourites for the French Open of 2009 to practice a last time before entering the stages on the courts of the Porte d'Auteuil.

Something like that.
So, IF THIS IS TRUE, Roger will indeed attend an (invitational) preparation tournament before RG. About which I have to admit having mixed feelings.

Skipping Estoril and Monte Carlo, but indeed appearing here? Hmmm hmmm.

So how does one or maybe two exhibition matches (if that's what it is) = a tournament? I have mixed feelings about him skipping MC if all the other big names (sans Roddick) are playing there. Mixed feelings because I want him to get healthy and the time off will be good for his mind and body, but also don't want Djerk and Murray closing in on #2. But a meaningless exho a few days before RG to me is just as good if not better than practice sessions with Luthi and some lower ranked player.

[Sunset of Age]

Originally Posted by Mellow Yellow

So how does one or maybe two exhibition matches (if that's what it is) = a tournament?

That's what they - organization - call it themselves. I'd rather say 'exho matches' myself as well.

I have mixed feelings about him skipping MC if all the other big names (sans Roddick) are playing there. Mixed feelings because I want him to get healthy and the time off will be good for his mind and body, but also don't want Djerk and Murray closing in on #2.

Exactly the same here...

But a meaningless exho a few days before RG to me is just as good if not better than practice sessions with Luthi and some lower ranked player.

Difference is that this thingie will draw a lot of attention from the media again, and I don't know if one can indeed view this as proper practice. Sounds more like a 'showing off'-kind of occasion to me.
But of course I don't know. It's just my general dislike of players playing exho's while skipping official tournaments that kind of bugs me.

[timafi]

Blake imo has no business playing there amongst the bunch

[nobama]

Originally Posted by Stupid Dream

It's just my general dislike of players playing exho's while skipping official tournaments that kind of bugs me.

I guess for me it's one thing if it's an exho over several days that ends up looking just like a tournament. But if it's a one or two day hit and giggle it doesn't bother me so much. Plus I've yet to see an 'exho' that Roger or Nadal have particiapted in that didn't end up being somewhat serious.

[RogiFan88]

Originally Posted by MariaV

To answer the original question - yes he absolutely should.

hey, MariaV, what are you doing here and why do you want Rogi to skip the clay season this year? you have to back up your reply!

[MariaV]

Originally Posted by RogiFan88

hey, MariaV, what are you doing here and why do you want Rogi to skip the clay season this year? you have to back up your reply!

Nice to see you here too! I just happened to drop by yesterday.
I thought that with the baby underway maybe he should kinda support Mirka more, and not cause additional trauma to himself with losses on clay.
That's just me.... kidding. I'm sure he'll play on clay if he's healthy.

[tufani]

Roger will play Monte Carlo, he received a WC. Source, and also check the tournament's thread.

[Puschkin]

Originally Posted by tufani

Roger will play Monte Carlo, he received a WC. Source, and also check the tournament's thread.

And I am going.

[nobama]

There is a note on rf.com from Roger that he has indeed accepted a wild card for Monte Carlo.

[yanchr]

What is with his decision to be in Monte-Carlo? Is he thinking of getting back No.1? Is he thinking of winning RG? He should forget about both under the current circumstances. Is he desperate to be back on court and prove sth? Then he really doesn't have to. If his back is still not back to 100% (which looked like it in Miami), he should take enough rest to heal his back. The realistic thing is really to focus on Wimbledon this year. I don't quite understand his decision here. Not to say another exhibition before RG? Good for the tournaments and the fans who are going though.

[lunahielo]

Well, bonne chance in Monte Carlo! Have fun, Roger. I'll be cheering for you once more.

Luna