Retired football star Diego Forlan, 45, made his professional tennis debut in Uruguay, stepping onto the court in Montevideo’s Uruguay Open alongside Argentine partner Federico Coria. Although the former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker and Coria lost 6-1, 6-2 to Bolivian duo Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos in a 47-minute match, the atmosphere was electric, with fans rallying behind Forlan as he explored his passion for tennis on an international stage.
Forlan and Coria, who entered the tournament as wildcards, put up an enthusiastic effort despite the challenging matchup. Both teams held serve initially, but Arias and Zeballos gained momentum with an early break in the first set, maintaining control for the remainder of the match. In the second set, Forlan and Coria were unable to counter their opponents’ powerful serves, struggling to secure a break point.
Reflecting on his unexpected journey into professional tennis, Forlan shared, “I hadn’t even imagined, let alone dreamed of this. It’s wonderful to have played against professionals.” The atmosphere was especially meaningful, as he played before friends and family in Montevideo. “The atmosphere on this court that I love so much was incredible. I felt like a tennis player for a moment,” he said.
Forlan’s passion for tennis began in his youth as a promising junior player before he dedicated himself to a 20-year football career that saw him claim trophies with Manchester United, Villarreal, Atletico Madrid, and others. He earned the Golden Ball at the 2010 World Cup, cementing his legacy on the pitch. In recent years, he returned to tennis, playing with friends and participating in the ITF Masters Tour in 2023.
Coria, his doubles partner and former top-50 ATP player, expressed admiration for Forlan’s transition from football to tennis. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to play with Fede,” Forlan noted, acknowledging the challenge of competing at this level with limited professional tennis experience.
Forlan’s journey from the football field to the tennis court illustrates his enduring love for sport, as he continues to break boundaries and entertain fans in Uruguay and beyond.
