New Delhi: Diego Forlan is all set to don his country’s national colors once again but this time the ball won’t be the same. Manchester United cult hero will make his professional debut at the Uruguay Open alongside Argentinian Federico Coria in Montevideo next month.
Forlan’s switch of sports is not sudden. He has always played tennis and was a promising junior before choosing to pursue a career in professional football instead. According to International Tennis Federation rankings, he is placed 108th in the world rankings for the players aged 45 and abovewhile his partner is ranked 101 in ATP singles.
Former Man Utd and Atletico Madrid forward Diego Forlan is set to make his professional tennis debut at the Uruguay Open next month 🎾 pic.twitter.com/zG1oKbRUS4
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 22, 2024
The 45-year-old have mentioned earlier as well that “My father played football and after retiring at the age of 41 he started playing tennis. I started [playing tennis] when I was two.” Forlan picked up tennis again in 2023 from where he left off as a child.
Diego Forlán was 16 when he gave up tennis to focus on his football career.
Now 45, he’s playing tennis outside of Uruguay for the first time in his career and has dropped just three games in his last two matches on the ITF circuit in Lima. pic.twitter.com/mTpb7mOHRL
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) June 20, 2024
Uruguay Open tournament director Diego Lopez confirmed that Forlan has accepted the invite to play in the tournament. He said, “I have his confirmation that he wants to play, he has been preparing for some time, training a lot in tennis.” He further added, “I think he deserves this opportunity and give him this mutual satisfaction. Of course I’m talking about our beloved Diego Forlán.”
The Uruguay Open could not hide their excitement and released a statement: “Attention tennis and sports fans! This year at the Uruguay Open, we have an UNMISSABLE duo in doubles: Argentine tennis player Federico Coria (currently number 78 in the ATP ranking) and former Uruguayan football player Diego Forlan.
“Yes, our number 10 is smashing it in tennis too! This year, Forlan has competed in more than three +40 tournaments in Montevideo, also standing out in the MT1000 in Lima of the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour.
“Fun fact: Forlan is left-handed at tennis, the opposite to how he played football, and his right-hand stroke is the most powerful. What do you think of this news? Do you have faith in this duo?”
His Argentine partner Coria responded to the news by posting, “Uffff, the double of the year.”
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Football glory
Forlan played football for Manchester United and Atletico Madrid. He also represented Uruguay in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, winning the Golden Ball for being the joint top scorer in the tournament with five goals. He retired from professional football more than five years ago, in August 2019. He boasts an impressive tally of 222 goals from 525 appearances for various clubs and 36 goals from 112 caps for Uruguay.
Diego Forlan has annouced his retirement from professional football, aged 40.
Another legend leaves the game. 🇺🇾⚽️
🎥 @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/CEdzqFhG4X
— 433 (@433) August 7, 2019
The forward is the third-highest goal scorer for his country, only behind Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, who have 69 and 58 international goals, respectively.
Looking ahead…
The number 10 is already smashing in tennis too having already competed in more than three +40 tournaments in Montevideo and standing out in the MT1000 in Lima of the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour. Diego Forlan is all set to compete in the men’s doubles category alongside his partner Federico Coria in the Uruguay Open which is to be played across six day starting on November 12.
Forlan will be looking to replicate his immense success on the pitch on the court ahead of his eagerly anticipated tennis debut.
