Playing in the Swiss team alongside Belinda Bencic, Federer inspired a whitewash of Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter on Sunday as the Swiss began their Group B campaign with a win.
Federer breezed past Norrie in the first rubber, winning 6-1 6-1, before Bencic beat Boulter in two sets to clinch victory.
After beating Norrie, Federer said: “This was a great start, but there is a long, long way to go here - and in Melbourne [for the Australian Open], obviously.
“It’s nice that I’m feeling as good as I am and I played a wonderful match against Cameron.”
Switzerland then excelled again in the doubles as Great Britain were outclassed 4-3 (6-4) 4-1.
Federer is next in action on New Year’s Day for a blockbuster match against Serena Williams’ United States.
A similarly star-studded contest took place earlier on Sunday as Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber of Germany saw off Spanish pair David Ferrer and Garbine Muguruza.
Favourites Germany, who were runners-up to Switzerland last year, were worked hard in two three-set singles matches, before completing a fine day’s work 4-2 4-3 (5-3) in the doubles.
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