French tennis player Gael Monfils has been announced to be featuring the Garry Weber Open in Halle. The 30-year-old will be making his fifth appearance at the tournament if nothing goes wrong. He last played at the German grass-court event two years ago in 2015, when he lost in the quarter-final stage to Italy's Andreas Seppi.

Monfils' best result at Atp Halle thus far in his career has been the semi-final achieved in his debut appearance at the tournament in 2011.

Back then, the Frenchman fell short to eventual champion Philipp Kohlschreiber. He was twice a quarter-finalist (2013, 2015) and lost in the round-of-16 stage in 2014.

Hoping to avoid last year's scenario

Gael Monfils didn't have a memorable campaign on grass last year. The only grass-court tournament the world number 16 played in 2016 was Wimbledon. The reason behind that was the fact that the French had health problems. He was beaten at The Championships in the first-round by fellow countryman Jeremy Chardy. However, it should be noted that Monfils clearly wasn't at his best against Chardy, having not played any matches on grass before Wimbledon and not being in rhythm.

The grass surface is not the most preferable tennis surface by Monfils.

The former world number six is a six-time ATP singles champion -- neither of those six titles didn't come on grass. It remains to be seen will the 30-year-old be able to achieve a good campaign at next month's ATP Halle, which is set to be held from June 19-25.

A well-known player set to play again in Newport

World number 22 Ivo Karlovic has been confirmed for the Dell Technologies Hall of Fame Open in Newport.

The Croatian tennis player is expected to make his seventh singles main draw appearance at ATP Newport. He has been a participant at the American grass-court event for the fourth year in a row.

Looking to repeat last year's success

Ivo Karlovic defeated Gilles Muller of Luxembourg in the final of the Newport event in 2016 to win the title.

The 38-year-old prevailed over the world number 26 in an incredibly tight encounter 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (14-12). Karlovic was on a brink of ending up at the runner-up spot for the third year in a row, having lost the finals of Newport in 2014 and 2015.

The big-serving player from Croatia will certainly be hoping to have another notable run in Newport this year. It remains to be seen whether he can reach the final of the event for the fourth consecutive season and potentially defend his title.
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