Roger Federer feeling great ahead of Stuttgart Open

The Swiss underwent knee surgery after the Australian Open earlier this year, and his presence on the ATP Tour was further limited by a bout of illness.

He was then forced to withdraw from the French - the first time he has missed a major since the 1999 US Open - with a persistent back problem.

But after a period of rest, the 17-time major winner is feeling fit again as he gets his grass-court season under way in Stuttgart this week.

"I feel great. Pulling out of the French Open was the right decision," he said in a media conference on Monday.

"I would have been able to compete and maybe get another record, but it would have been a great risk for the rest of the season, my career and my life after tennis. So I had to take some time off and now I am ready to come back and play on grass.

"I had no setbacks in recent weeks, which is very important. I trained a lot, was often in the gym. I will keep working hard so I will be ready for my first game on Wednesday or Thursday.

"It hasn't been a great year for me so far. I was only able to play one tournament at full strength, the Australian Open. Since then a virus has kept bothering me.

"But every time I play on grass I have high expectations. With the season I am having I have to be careful preparing myself and with how high my expectations are.

"I have to see from training to training, from game to game. If I am able to win some games and reach the semi-final, of course I will want to win this tournament. But thinking of winning the title right now would be a little bit early."