Tennis: Federer to make his return in Miami

Roger Federer serves at the 2016 Australian Open. Photo / Getty Images

Roger Federer has confirmed he will make his ATP return after February knee surgery at the Miami Masters starting next week.

The 17-time grand slam winner underwent a minor operation after hurting his knee the day playing with his children in Melbourne in January, the day after he lost the Australian Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic.

The 34-year-old Swiss won the Miami event 2005-2006 but has not played the tournament since 2014, when he lost in the quarter-finals to Kei Nishikori.

World No.3 Federer's Miami start will mark his third event of 2016 after reaching the Brisbane final in January and losing to Milos Raonic.

Federer had originally put back the date of his comeback to the Monte Carlo Masters starting in three weeks but Swiss media report that the return was accelerated as his recovery and training in Los Angeles and Dubai is ahead of schedule.