Roger Federer insisted on Monday his focus at this week's Italian Open was on getting more match practice on clay ahead of the French Open in two weeks time.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner has not played on the red clay in the Foro Italico since 2015 when he finished runner-up for the fourth time, losing to Novak Djokovic in the final.
"Regardless of what happens here, I just think it's good for me to play matches at this stage," said world number three Federer before his first match on Wednesday.
He has a first-round bye as the number three seed, and will begin his tournament against either American Frances Tiafoe or Portugal's Joao Sousa.
The 37-year-old's performance in the Madrid Open last week has boosted his hopes of winning the French Open, a decade after his only title there.
He fell in the quarter-finals on Friday to Dominic Thiem, but twice held match point and for a set and a half was dominant against a player considered among the favourites for Roland Garros after Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
"I think I was playing well in Madrid, so I just said, again, 'Let's come to Rome, a city I like so much as well'.
Federer is in the same half of the draw as eight-time Rome winner Rafael Nadal, who is looking for his first clay title this season before his French Open title defence.
"I have other problems first getting there," said Federer, who could meet the Spaniard in the semi-final.
A potential quarter-final awaits against either Stefanos Tsitsipas, the eighth seed, who beat Nadal in the Madrid semi-finals, or Italian 10th seed Fabio Fognini, the Monte Carlo winner.
"I thought Stefanos was very impressive against him (Nadal) last week," continued Federer.
"I think it's going to be a good season. It's going to be interesting to see who is going to make the World Tour Finals, especially if so many guys have won especially big titles, like Fabio in Monaco.
"There is a bit of a new wave coming through with the one-handed backhand that can counter some of Rafa's spins and lefty play.
"But, again, this is maybe also just a moment in time. We'll see what happens for the rest of the year.
Serena withdraws
Serena Williams withdrew from the Italian Open on Tuesday with a recurring left knee injury handing sister Venus a walkover into the third round.
In Tuesday's statement the 23-time Grand Slam winner insisted she would still be competing in the French Open later this month.
"I must withdraw from the Italian Open due to pain in my left knee," Serena said in a statement.
"I will miss the fans and competition at one of my favourite tournaments.
"I'll be concentrating on rehab and look forward to seeing you all at the French Open and next year in Rome."