Basel (Switzerland), April 12 (Inditop) Roger Federer will spend his honeymoon at work on the courts at the Monte Carlo Open next week after marrying long-time girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec, his website reported Saturday.

The wedding on the day before Easter comes a few months before the new bride is scheduled to give birth to the couple’s first child.

Federer told his fans: “Earlier today, in my hometown of Basel, surrounded by a small group of close friends and family, Mirka and I got married. It was a beautiful spring day and an incredibly joyous occasion.

“Mr and Mrs Roger Federer wish all of you a Happy Easter weekend. Love, Roger.”

The surprise nuptials came only 48 hours after the world number 2 changed his mind and took a wild card into the Monte Carlo event which begins Sunday.

Federer has lost the last three finals to Rafael Nadal. The Swiss, still without a 2009 trophy, lost a Miami semi-final last week to Novak Djokovic.