Australian Open 2014 News: Roger Federer Oozing With Confidence After First Round Win; Credits New Racket, New Coach

The former world's No. 1 tennis player, Roger Federer, is looking to end his 18-month major title drought and the Swiss tennis ace started on the right foot on Tuesday.

Federer, who set a record-breaking 57th consecutive Grand Slam tournament appearance on Tuesday, cruised to an easy 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 straight-set win over local bet James Duckworth in the first round of the 2014 Australian Open in Melbourne.

The 17-time grand slam champion, who had one of the worst seasons of his illustrious career, admitted that he was a bit shaky during the earlier part of the match, but he confidently said that things are expected to improve as the tournament reaches its crucial stages.

"It was a matter of getting the job done and not getting broken. So it was a solid match from start to finish, yeah. I could have maybe won a few more break points here and there, but who cares now?" Federer told ESPN.

Federer played with renewed confidence, saying that his pressure-free attitude towards the match helped him big time. He added that he just enjoyed the game and did not worry about playing "perfect, clean tennis".

"I just want to play inspired tennis and enjoy it out there and not think I must play perfect, clean tennis," Federer said. "I think it's going to pay off."

The 32-year-old Swiss credited his new coach Stefan Edberg for bringing his confidence back after a tumultuous campaign in 2013.

Federer is hoping that his new coach, who happens to be his boyhood tennis idol, and his new racket size, which is 5 inches larger in circumference than his previous one, will help him break his long drought soon.

"I learned a lot from him, and it's nice to have him in my corner and be able to just speak to him and be inspired by what he says about the game today and about how it used to be for him, maybe telling me stories," Federer said on Edberg. "Just to spend time together for me is a big deal. I hope it's going to be a successful partnership as we move along."

Federer will go up against Blaz Kavcic of Slovenia in the second round before a potential fourth-round showdown with 10th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the fourth round. The current world No.6 could also face Andy Murray in the quarterfinals and Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the tournament.