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French Open 2019: Roger Federer returns, Rafael Nadal still favourite

Roger Federer returns to the French Open for the first time in four years to challenge Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic's bids for more records.

Nadal is chasing a record-extending 12th Roland Garros title, while Djokovic can become the first man in the Open era to hold all four Grand Slam titles at once for a second time.

Federer, 37, missed the 2016 event with a back injury and skipped the past two clay-court swings to preserve his body.

The event in Paris begins on Sunday.

Swiss Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, reached the Madrid Open quarter-finals this month in his first clay-court tournament in three years.