MONACO(AP) Roger Federer has accepted a last-minute wild card invitation to play in the Monte Carlo Masters next week.
The second-ranked Federer is a three-time finalist at the clay-court tournament but has never won. Last year, Rafael Nadal beat Federer 7-5, 7-5 in the final.
Nadal will be going for his fifth straight title at the tournament in Monaco, which will include nine of the top 10 players. Only sixth-ranked Andy Roddick will miss the event.
Tournament director Zeljko Franulovic says Thursday that ``we never gave up hope that (Federer) would be present.''