Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan is set to make his professional tennis debut in an ATP doubles event in Uruguay next month.
The 45-year-old Uruguayan, who retired from football in 2019, will team up with Argentine player Federico Coria at the Uruguay Open starting on the 17th of November in Montevideo.
Diego Forlan, a talented tennis player in his youth, has recently competed in ITF Masters events in the 45-and-over category. Next month’s tournament is part of the ATP’s Challenger Tour, however, which requires Forlan to secure a wildcard entry. His partner, Coria, is ranked 101 in singles and reached a career-high of 49 in 2023.
Everpresent for Uruguay during his playing days, Forlan joined Manchester United in 2002 and made 98 appearances before moving to Villarreal. While in Spain, the talented striker twice won the European Golden Shoe ahead of more illustrious names like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. His best showing at the club level would be at Atletico Madrid where he blossomed under Diego Simeone, making 134 appearances for the club and winning the Europa League.
At the international level, he also earned the Golden Ball at the 2010 World Cup, leading Uruguay to a third-place finish, and helped his nation win the 2011 Copa America.