'I don't have pain': Federer reports no knee issues after first match

Roger Federer, who won his Hopman Cup opener, says he has confidence in his left knee as he returns to competition.

Federer, sidelined with knee problems since Wimbledon, indicated that the injury has stopped affecting him.

"For three or four weeks, I've stopped thinking about it, because I don't have reactions anymore," he said. "I don't have pain."

But the long layoff was a new experience for Federer, who had not previously undergone surgery and has rarely been injured during his career.

"Now I understand a little bit when guys are injured,” he said, “how hard it is to come back and the patience you have to bring to the table. It’s not easy, and I admire the guys who have done it before me, like [Rafael Nadal], for instance. He’s always come back and it seemed like nothing. Every time he came back he had success, so I hope it’s going to be the same for me."

A 6-3, 6-4 win over Dan Evans has left him more convinced that the knee will hold up.

"Obviously, possibly you could expect [a] reaction because the intensity and the nerves of playing a match could trigger something,” he said, “but after this match I don't think so.”

Federer is partnering with Belinda Bencic in the mixed team competition.