KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 — World number eight tennis player David Ferrer will not give up his hope of clinching victory in the 2015 Malaysian Open at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil here.
The 33-year old Spaniard, who managed to play only in the round of 32 in 2009 before reaching the semi-finals in 2010 and 2012 and quarterfinals in 2013, hopes to go all the way to win the title.
“I still remember the first time in Malaysia in 2009. I am always getting good support from fans. I have never reached the final (MOKL) here. Maybe I won’t win but I will give a tough fight.
“My fitness level is good... I want to play another two or three years more. My motivation level is the same as a 20-year-old player,” he said at a press conference here today.
Ferrer has so far this year won the Qatar Open, Rio Open and Mexico Open.
Ferrer is entrenched in the world’s top 10. With him at MOKL is young talent Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, now ranked 11th in the world, Spaniard Feliciano Lopez (ranked 12th), while half “Kampung Kid” Nick Kyrgios will make his return.
India’s Leander Paes has returned to defend the doubles title, partnering the much younger Dimitrov. Paes, who won the 2014 MOKL doubles title with Poland’s Marcin Matkowski, is the top seed in this year’s main draw.
Twenty-eight singles players and 16 doubles teams are taking part in the tournament, which offers total prize money of US$1,041,540 (about RM4,411,755).
Leander, who has been playing tennis for more than 20 years, said he strongly believes that self-confidence is crucial on the court because the difference between winning and losing in any tournament sometimes could be just one shot.
“Winning three Grand Slams in one year (mixed doubles title with Martina Hingis) is very special for me. It feels so amazing if all your hard work pays and most important is believing that you deserve to win,” said the 42-year-old Paes.
The charismatic player has won 55 career doubles titles, including eight Grand Slam doubles and nine mixed doubles majors. — Bernama
