Former Football Star Diego Forlán Makes Professional Tennis Debut at Uruguay Open, Falls in First Round

Diego Forlán Debuts in Professional Tennis with First-Round Loss at Uruguay Open

Former Manchester United and Uruguay national team star Diego Forlán made his professional tennis debut at the Uruguay Open, partnering with Argentine player Federico Coria. Despite their efforts, Forlán and Coria were defeated in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, by the Bolivian team of Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos in the opening round of the ATP Challenger Tour event.

Forlán, who hung up his football boots in August 2019, is well-regarded for his remarkable football career with prestigious clubs such as Manchester United, Atlético Madrid, Villarreal, and Inter Milan. During his time on the field, Forlán earned 112 caps and netted 36 goals for the Uruguay national team. His achievements include the 2010 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball and contributing to Uruguay’s victory in the 2011 Copa América.

Over the past five years, Forlán has been competing in amateur tennis tournaments, which led to his wildcard entry in Uruguay’s premier professional tennis tournament. Reflecting on his first match, Forlán described the experience as “very special,” signaling the start of a new chapter in his athletic career. Despite the initial setback, his debut highlights his commitment to embracing challenges beyond football.