ROGER Federer's press conference started late and loudly, with cameramen screaming at photographers in a packed interview room way too small for the occasion.

Someone had underestimated the interest in this global superstar, which presumably had more to do with the constant questioning of tennis' legitimacy as an Olympic sport than the imminent end to Federer's extraordinary 236-week reign at No. 1.

Rafael Nadal will dethrone him when the next rankings list is released, but the winner of five of the past six Wimbledon titles is still the nominal top dog eyeing a title that ranks with the French Open as the only two important tournaments he is yet to win.

"You feel like you're carrying your country as well and you want to do well because of that, so that adds a little bit of an extra pressure," said Federer, who will spend the night of his 27th birthday carrying the Swiss flag at the opening ceremony.

Federer, who will play Russian Dimitry Tursunov in the first round, is staying in a hotel rather than at the Olympic Village. "I was there the other day and it's not possible, really. I can't escape, there's so (many) athletes that want pictures.

"I don't mind it, you know, but every day for I don't know how long, it's not the ideal preparation for trying to win a gold medal."

Village-dwelling Nadal will open against Potito Starace and could then face Australia's Lleyton Hewitt, who will first need to stretch his career record to 7-0 against Swede Jonas Bjorkman.

Hewitt (with partner Chris Guccione) could also run into Nadal (and Tommy Robredo) in the second round of the doubles, while Guccione's first singles opponent will be American eighth seed James Blake.

Alicia Molik plays 1996 gold medallist Lindsay Davenport, Casey Dellacqua meets Gisela Dulko and Sam Stosur plays Sara Errani.