Organisers pampered the Swiss by laying on ball boys as he hit with star-struck Japanese players for a little over an hour in preparation for his first tournament in Japan.

"It was really great fun to have my practice announced officially at 10 a.m. on centre court," Federer told reporters.

"I can't remember ever having that. We had ball boys and everything. The only thing missing was the umpire!"

Federer is scheduled to meet British number one Andy Murray in the semi-finals, but the nine-times grand slam singles winner said he had not even seen the draw.

"If somebody gives me the draw I'll have a look at it," smiled Federer, who has won eight tournaments in a superb year in which he claimed three more grand slam titles.

"I always look maybe two or three rounds ahead and then I'll know who'll still be around. But I try not to get too excited. My focus is not on Andy -- it's the entire tournament."

Federer, who will play either Spain's Fernando Vicente or a qualifier in his opening match after receiving a first-round bye, quickly threw down the gauntlet to his rivals.

"It's been a fantastic year and I don't want to break a fantastic year by not being professional," he said. "Motivation is not a problem."

Spain's Tommy Robredo is seeded second behind Federer in Tokyo while Murray and fellow Briton Tim Henman are also among a strong field at the $765,000 tournament.

Federer won his third straight U.S. Open last month in a record sixth straight grand slam final appearance but ominously he warned that he was still hungry for more major success.

"I'm only halfway through my career and I have a lot of tennis left," the 25-year-old said. "My motivation has always been to win grand slams and be number one.

"All of a sudden to lose my motivation while I'm at the top is not something that makes sense."

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