WATCH | The simple pleasures ... sharing economy class with Roger Federer on a Joburg flight

You've just settled into your seat in economy class for a flight to Johannesburg. A man, clean cut, suave with an unassuming elegance even as the miniature hat of the Basotho bobs cheerfully from his belt, is making his way down the aisle, smiling awkwardly, a little bent over, so as not to bump his head against the overhead compartment in the cramped space. You think to yourself: "Surely not!"

It's not James Bond. It's not Clarke Kent, but this is a plane - economy class, remember.

And yet ... it's the bloody Swiss maestro!

Imagine you are in economy class and you see Roger Federer getting on the plane and sitting in the seat right behind you ??A man experienced this while going to Johannesburg a few weeks ago!!! (??IG/imvirag8) pic.twitter.com/cE5Z9y8Mfm

Jetting-setting to the Met Gala in New York, then to South Beach, Miami, for the Grand Prix, and then Lesotho, the world's most gilded athlete, Roger Federer, a regular on the Forbes List, was spotted boarding a flight to Johannesburg recently.

Federer, winner of 20 Grand Slam titles, who spends most of his days in retirement working with his charity organisation, took his family on a trip to Lesotho on behalf of the Roger Federer Foundation, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, to promote education among the youth of the small mountain kingdom that is land-locked by South Africa.

One of the world's greatest tennis players, Federer has an affinity with South Africa, in particularly through heritage on his mother Lynette's side who is a native of the country, and he is also an avid supporter of the Springboks.

READ: King of kings Federer leaves the grand stage ... and tennis will never be the same again

Nevertheless, imagine the surprise for a lucky fan, who