Ex-Manchester United Striker Diego Forlán to Make Professional Tennis Debut

Diego Forlán, a former football player who played for Manchester United and Atletico Madrid, will play tennis professionally for the first time in November at the Uruguay Open. The 45-year-old, who gave up soccer in 2019, will play in the ATP Challenger Tour doubles tournament with Federico Coria, the 101st-ranked player in the men’s singles world.

Forlán’s participation in the second-tier tennis tournament, the Uruguay Open, which runs from November 11 to 17, is a major turning point in his sporting career. Forlán, who won the Premier League, Copa América, and Europa League during his storied soccer career and was crowned the 2010 World Cup’s best player, has lately taken up competitive tennis. Forlán has been working hard for this chance, and he is currently ranked 108th in the world in the ITF Masters 45+ category.

Uruguay Open tournament director Diego López praised Forlán’s commitment, stating:

“He has been preparing for some time, training a lot in tennis. I think he deserves this opportunity.”