Roger Federer may have cruised through his first-round match at the Australian Open on Monday – but the questions he faced afterwards understandably did not concern what took place on court.

Federer needed just 72 minutes to see off Georgian world No 118 Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 under the lights on Rod Laver Arena.

But, understandably, it was the BBC/Buzzfeed News investigation into alleged match-fixing in tennis which was at the top of the agenda when Federer entered the main press conference room at Melbourne Park less than an hour later. 

Roger Federer celebrates after defeating Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round of the Australian Open

The Georgian was no match for the world No 3 in Melbourne as Federer eased into the second round

The investigation claimed that Grand Slam winners were part of a group of 16 players who were involved in suspected match-fixing, but no individuals were identified.

Federer, however, called for names to be revealed when asked if he was surprised that Grand Slam champions were allegedly involved.

Federer said: ‘I would love to hear names. Then at least it’s concrete stuff and you can actually debate about it.

‘Was it the player? Was it the support team? Who was it? Was it before? Was it a doubles player, a singles player? Which slam?

‘It’s so all over the place. It’s nonsense to answer something that is pure speculation.

‘Like I said, it’s super serious and it’s super important to maintain the integrity of our sport. So how high up does it go?

‘The higher it goes, the more surprised I would be, no doubt about it. Not about people being approached, but just people doing it in general.

‘I just think there’s no place at all for these kind of behaviours and things in our sport. I have no sympathy for those people.’

Federer hardly broke a sweat as he won the match in just one hour and 12 minutes

Basilashvili plays a backhand return during his tough first-round match against Federer

Federer had been suffering from a cold during his warm-up event in Brisbane – in which he lost the final to Canadian Milos Raonic eight days ago – but showed no signs of any lingering ill-effects in his win against Basilashvili.

He said: ‘That was a good match. I’m really pleased how I was able to play. Definitely gives me a bit of a lift in confidence because this year I haven’t been able to play properly yet.

‘I had some decent matches in Brisbane, but it was all under a sort of a cloud knowing that I wasn’t 100 per cent.

But this was a match where I was able to focus on my game, on tactics, all that stuff. So it was nice to play that way.’

Next up, however, is what will undoubtedly be a tougher task against unorthodox Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov, someone Federer knows well after training with him in Dubai.

Federer said: ‘I think it’s going to be very tough to be honest. I’ve practised with Dolgopolov in the off-season in Dubai. Had some great practice sessions together there, this year and last year. I know him very well.

‘This is going to be a different challenge than the first round. This was more of an unexperienced player today, but still dangerous and still a good player.

‘But Dolgopolov is a different player, a different level. He’s been there before. He’s got the fitness, the power, the speed, tennis IQ, all that. It’s going to be a big challenge.’

The Swiss star signs autographs in Melbourne after winning 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 on Monday