2017 was the year of the renaissance in male Tennis, where the old guard well and truly triumphed over the young brigade.

Rafael Nadal finished the year as world number one and right on his tail was great rival Roger Federer.

The two all-time greats shared the four Grand Slams between them last year, Federer took his tally to 19, while Nadal sits three behind him on 16 titles.

When many believed they would be slowing down and content with their outstanding achievements in the game, that was far to be the case.

Federer is currently taking part in the international team tournament, the Hopman Cup in Perth which is a valuable warm-up event for the season ahead.

The Swiss maestro is back for the second year in a row as it was viewed as a catalyst for his superb 2017 campaign.

Naturally with Federer the main draw, massive crowd numbers have swarmed to the event, breaking Perth Arena records in the process.

While winning is obviously a major reason to keep playing the game, Federer also discussed how the viewing public plays a major part in his motivation.

Over 6000 people turned up for a Federer practice session before the tournament began, something that caught him by surprise.

"It’s not normal to have this many people turn up," Federer said, as per The Express.

“You have to work so hard for it to happen.

"People come out to watch you practice. That was the weirdest thing that ever happened to me.

"When I turned world No 1 playing in Australia back in 2004, I remember going to Rotterdam and going to practice barely warmed up because it was an easy hit and there were a few hundred people at the practice.

"I was like ‘what are they doing here, It’s the matches that matter."

And Federer appeared to hint he would consider quitting the sport if it ever got to the stage where he was not drawing such big crowds.

"But I really don’t take it for granted and I think that’s what keeps me on tour.

"If I had to play on the outside courts or stadiums that were not full at all, I think the passion would go away a bit even though I love tennis and what I do."

"I can’t thank you enough every single time I stand here.”

It's hard to imagine there ever being a time when tennis fans won't have to queue in their thousands for a glimpse of the legend.