After an injury absence of more than half a year, Gael Monfils is due to reappear as the Indian Wells Masters begins this week.
The extravaganza in the Californian desert will be the first ATP outing for the crowd-pleasing Frenchman since retiring against Brit Jack Draper in the second round in Montreal last August.
Over the course of the last seven months, Monfils became a father through Ukrainian WTA wife Elina Svitolina.
The 36-year-old currently ranks 210th, but will play Indian Wells with an injury -protected ranking.
He has already drawn a crowd during a hit-out with Polish pal Hubi Hurkacz; Monfils begins in the first round against Australian Jordan Thompson.
