Tennis

Diego Forlan, the Uruguayan soccer legend who captivated fans at the 2010 World Cup, has embarked on a surprising new chapter in his sporting career. At the age of 45, Forlan made his ATP Challenger Tour debut in Montevideo, partnering with Federico Coria in doubles.Forlan, a lifelong tennis enthusiast, had never imagined playing professionally in the sport. "If you asked me when I was playing football if I was going to play a professional tournament on the ATP, I wouldn't have imagined that," he said.Despite his lack of competitive experience, Forlan's debut was met with immense enthusiasm from the crowd. The former Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and Manchester United striker was considered one of the greatest strikers of his generation, earning numerous scoring awards before retiring from soccer in 2019.Forlan's transition to tennis began six years later, when he started competing on the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour. Despite being right-footed in soccer, he is left-handed in tennis.Forlan and Coria received a wild card into the Montevideo Challenger, but their journey was cut short by Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos, who won 6-1, 6-2 in just 49 minutes.Undeterred by the result, Forlan expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play alongside Coria. "It's not easy for him to enter these tournaments with an amateur beside him," he said.Forlan's debut was a testament to his passion for tennis and his willingness to embrace new challenges. "I hadn't even imagined, let alone dreamed of this," he said. "It's wonderful to have played against professionals—it takes courage to do it."

Diego Forlan, the legendary Uruguayan soccer star, is embarking on a new chapter in his athletic career at the age of 45. After retiring from professional soccer in 2019, Forlan has set his sights on tennis, and is set to make his professional debut at the Uruguay Open next month.Forlan, who played for renowned clubs such as Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and Manchester United, was one of the most prolific strikers of his generation. He won numerous top scoring awards, including the Pichichi Trophy twice and the European Golden Shoe twice. At the 2010 World Cup, he was named the best player and joint top scorer.Despite his soccer success, Forlan has always harbored a passion for tennis. Six years after retiring from soccer, he began competing on the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour. This year, he has amassed an impressive 73 percent win rate (8-3), reaching the quarterfinals at an MT1000-level event in Lima and the final at an M400 level in Asuncion."I like to challenge myself in life," Forlan said in a press conference in June. "This is a different sport for me, and I really enjoy the challenge of competing against very good players from different countries."Forlan, who is right-footed in soccer but left-handed in tennis, has received a main draw wild card into the ATP Challenger event in Montevideo. He will partner with Argentina's Federico Coria to make his debut in doubles.The Uruguay Challenger will take place at the Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club from November 11-17. Former singles champions include Juan Martin del Potro, Diego Schwartzman, and Pablo Cuevas.Forlan's transition from soccer to tennis is a testament to his unwavering determination and love for sports. At 45, he is proving that it's never too late to pursue one's dreams.