Roger Federer will play the Monte Carlo Masters for the first time since 2011 after receiving a wild card into the event that begins on Sunday.

The world number four, who helped Switzerland into the Davis Cup semi-finals over Kazakhstan over the weekend in Geneva, has missed the optional tournament over the last two editions after losing a semi-final to Jurgen Melzer three years ago.

The Monte Carlo tournament is one of two Masters 1000 titles – Rome is the other – that the 17-time grand slam winner has not collected.

Rafael Nadal will start his European clay season as he bids for a record ninth title in the principality.

Novak Djokovic, who beat Nadal in the 2013 final, will bid to repeat his trophy.