Roger Federer corrected a journalist who said the world no.2's age wrong after his opening first round match at the 2018 Hopman Cup.

Federer had just dispatched Japanese Yuichi Suigita 6-4 6-3 in the first of three matches in Perth, Australia.

It was the 95-time trophy winner's first encounter since his defeat in the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals to David Goffin as the Swiss stalwart embarked on another new season.

The 19-time Grand Slam winner shared an amusing on-court exchange with an Australian reporter who asked: "Roger we don't want to make you feel old but 36 next year, and I don't know if you keep track of these things but how close to your career best form do you feel at 35?"

A bemused Federer answered to widespread laughter in the crowd at the Perth Arena by correcting the reporter saying "I'm 37 this year, I was young at 35!" - scroll down to see the awkward moment unfold.

With a smile on his face the 37-year-old, who won the 2017 Australian Open and Wimbledon Championships, regained his calm demeanour to answer the question about his upturn in form and his seemingly never-ending successful career.

Skip to roughly 1:25 in the video below:

Federer said: “I think I’m playing very well otherwise I wouldn’t be having the results that I’m having. I’m happy I’m still playing at this level. I was always hoping to play for a long time and I’m doing that.”

“It went okay [after the Hopman Cup last year]. I don’t know who follows after, whether you guys shut down the news and don’t follow anything other than Hopman Cup but I did go on to win in Melbourne and a few more tournaments.

“It’s been an absolute dream run. It’s gone by too fast. When you’re having fun, things go too fast. What a year it’s been. Couldn’t be happier. A huge surprise. I’m healthy, I had a great off-season.

“I’m so pleased to have had the year that I’ve had and hopefully another good one this year.”

Federer will be preparing for the Australian Open which gets underway on 15th January 2018 in Melbourne where the Swiss will be intending to defend his title after 2017's 5-set final victory against Rafa Nadal.