IF David Ferrer and Juan Monaco, the two top seeds at the ongoing ATP Malaysian Open, look at each other's reflection in a mirror, the Spaniard and Argentine would realise their uncanny similar passion for tennis and hobbies.
Ferrer, the World No 5, is enjoying his best season on the tour following wins in Auckland, Buenos Aires, Acapulco, Hertogenbosch and Bastad besides leading Spain to the Davis Cup final, and the top seed hopes to record his first indoor win and 17th career title in Kuala Lumpur.
As for Monaco, the World No 12 and second seed, who is also enjoying a defining season after victories in Vina del Mar, Houston and Hamburg, also wants to notch his maiden career indoor title.
Ferrer, ranked second in Spain after World No 3 Rafael Nadal, and Monaco want to make an impression on forthcoming tournaments to strengthen their hopes of qualifying for November's World Tour Finals in London. Only the top eight ranked players qualify for London and with only a few tournaments left on tour, they will need to do well in all of them.
Ferrer, however, looks likely to qualify for his fourth World Tour appearance while Monaco, bidding for his first qualification, needs to work harder as he is currently ranked outside the top-10.
As for hobbies, Ferrer and Monaco share similar passion for football and Playstation games, with the latter also having a love for food.
Ferrer admitted that he is a little tired after tough matches in the US Open and Davis Cup.
"I had only one week to relax. I've not been practising too much. Anyway, the next three weeks are crucial starting here followed by Beijing and then Shanghai," said Ferrer during the round table interview yesterday.
Despite turning 30 in April, Ferrer is having his best ever season but the player was not keen to reveal too much about his fitness regime.
"I don't really know the secret but I think it is very important for one to maintain a good physique and stay happy.
"You need to have time to relax with your family and friends. Cycling and playing soccer are some of the things I do to keep fit," said Ferrer, who reached his career high ranking of World No 4 in 2008.
Ferrer, who is an ardent fan of Spanish Primera Liga side Valencia and watches them play whenever he can, singled out Roger Federer, with 17 grand slams to his name, as the best player at the moment but noted that his best friend, Nadal, would eventually rule the sport due to the age factor.
"We also have many young exciting players on the tour like Bernard Tomic and Ryan Harrison . They, however, have to work hard but more importantly must remain injury-free," Ferrer added.
Ferrer, who received a first-round bye, will play either Russian Alex Bogomolov or Briton Dominic Inglot in the second round tomorrow.
Monaco, meanwhile, is eager to make an impression in KL ahead of four tournaments. His priority is to qualify for the World Tour Finals.
"It was a long flight but I managed to get nine hours of sleep here. I am already feeling at home. KL is a nice place and I am looking forward to try the food here but I need to be careful with my diet especially with the local fruits.
"It's my first time in Malaysia and I am looking to winning my first indoor title," said Monaco, 28, who turned professional in 2002.
Monaco, who was born in Tandil, Argentina and nicknamed "Pico" since he was a child, picked up tennis after watching Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Mariano Zabaleta play.
"My game mirrors their style of play. Zabaleta was a big name in Argentina and Tandil, he is the reason I took up this sport," said Monaco.
On who gave him the nickname, Monaco said his father, Hector, a businessman was also known as "Pico". "I was known as "Picotin" as a child but over the years, people started calling me Pico," he said.
Monaco, an avid footballer who supports Argentina side Estudiantes de La Plata, hopes tennis will become a No 1 sport in his country. "Tennis is growing and is the second most popular sport after football. In the past, children only played football in Argentina but of late, some are showing interest in tennis due to our success in tournaments.
"I have to admit I started out playing football. I still play a lot and I am also friends of Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi," he said.
Monaco, who received a first-round bye, will open against Jimmy Wang tomorrow and the Argentine believes it will be a tough match.
