Uruguayan Football Legend Diego Forlan To Make Professional Tennis Debut at ATP Event

Former Manchester United star Diego Forlan is set to embark on a new sporting adventure, swapping football boots for tennis rackets.

The Uruguayan legend, renowned for his goal-scoring prowess during his illustrious football career, will make his professional tennis debut at the Uruguay Open.

This ATP tournament, once won by Grand Slam champion Juan Martin del Potro, will mark a significant milestone for Forlan as he transitions to a new sport.

Despite retiring from football in 2018, Forlan has discovered a passion for tennis. His decision to compete at the Uruguay Open is a testament to his competitive spirit and desire to challenge himself in another sport.

Diego Forlán was 12 when he quit tennis in order to focus on his footballing career after his sister was paralyzed in a car accident.

Now 45, he’s going to make his ATP debut and play doubles with Federico Coria in the Uruguay Open. pic.twitter.com/oN3gUGrLND

— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) October 21, 2024

The tournament organisers expressed their excitement about Forlan’s participation, highlighting his impressive performance in recent amateur tennis events.

A statement from the organisers read: “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.”

They also left a fun fact about the former Manchester United striker: “Forlan is left-handed at tennis, the opposite of how he played football, and his right-hand stroke is the most powerful.”

Partnering with Argentine Federico Coria, Forlan will compete in the men’s doubles category at the Uruguay Open, which will take place from November 12th.

As the former football star enters this new chapter in his athletic career, fans and sports enthusiasts alike will be eager to see how he fares on the tennis court.