Former Manchester United forward Diego Forlan is set to make his professional tennis debut in an ATP doubles event in Uruguay next month. The 45-year-old, who retired from football in 2019, will team up with Argentine tennis player Federico Coria at the Uruguay Open in Montevideo.
Forlan, once a promising junior tennis player, has been actively participating in ITF Masters tournaments, most recently in the 45 and over category. His sporting journey, however, is best remembered for his remarkable achievements on the football pitch. Forlan twice claimed the European Golden Shoe during his time in Spain, awarded to the top scorer across Europe’s leagues.
A key figure in Uruguay’s national football team, Forlan was named the best player of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, earning the Golden Ball after leading Uruguay to a third-place finish in South Africa. He later played a pivotal role in securing the 2011 Copa America for his country.
Despite his transition from football to tennis, Forlan’s appearance at the Uruguay Open will mark his debut in an ATP-sanctioned event. The tournament, part of the ATP Challenger Tour, will require Forlan to receive a wildcard entry.
His doubles partner, Coria, currently ranked 101st in the world for singles, previously reached a career-high ranking of 49 in 2023. Forlan’s return to the international sporting stage comes with much anticipation, as fans look forward to his new chapter in professional tennis.
Forlan’s football career spanned clubs like Manchester United, where he made 98 appearances after joining the Premier League side in 2002, before moving on to La Liga’s Villarreal.
SOURCE: BBC
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