Diego Forlan, the legendary Uruguayan footballer, took a swing at a new challenge on the court – professional tennis – but his debut didn’t go as planned. Partnering with Argentine Federico Coria, Forlan suffered a crushing 6-1 6-2 doubles defeat against Bolivian duo Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos at the Uruguay Open in Montevideo.
The match, which saw Forlan and Coria receive a wildcard entry for the ATP Challenger event, was a stark reminder of the steep learning curve that comes with transitioning from football to tennis. Both teams held serve initially, but Arias and Zeballos quickly gained momentum, securing a break in the third game of the first set and never looking back. The second set mirrored the first, with Forlan and Coria struggling to contain the powerful serves of their opponents. Arias and Zeballos dominated the serve, winning 85% of their first serves throughout the match, ultimately securing victory in a swift 47 minutes.
Forlan, a former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid star, enjoyed a glittering career on the football pitch. He won the Premier League title with Manchester United in 2003 and the FA Cup in 2004. His impressive goal-scoring abilities also saw him achieve success with Villarreal and Inter Milan, before playing in Brazil, Japan, Uruguay, India, and Hong Kong. He also shined on the international stage, scoring 36 goals in 112 appearances for Uruguay, including a joint top-scorer performance at the 2010 World Cup, where Uruguay secured a third-place finish.
Forlan’s tennis journey is a testament to his desire to challenge himself beyond the football field. Despite hanging up his boots in 2019, he has continued to pursue his passion for tennis, and now at 45, he has taken the bold step of entering the professional circuit. This debut match may not have gone to plan, but it serves as a reminder that legends never stop pushing their limits, even as they embark on new adventures.
This match is sure to spark curiosity about Forlan’s future in tennis, with fans eager to see if the legend can translate his athletic prowess from the football field to the tennis court. Will he embrace the challenge and continue his tennis journey? Only time will tell.
