Former Man United & Mumbai City FC star Diego Forlan set for professional tennis debut

The Diego Forlan had retired from professional football in 2019.

Diego Forlan has been known as one of the most prolific strikers in football history. After retiring from the sport in 2019, Forlan started playing tennis. He began picking up the game quickly and was competing in age 40+ and 45+ age categories in international events. Now the former Uruguay player will be making his professional debut in tennis.

Forlan will be competing in the Uruguay Open in November. The 45-year-old was offered a wildcard to play in the challengers event in men’s doubles. Forlan will be playing alongside Federico Coria of Argentina. Fans will once again get to see the star on the court but this time he will be smashing the ball with his left handed forehand.

Former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan is set to make his Pro Tennis debut at the Uruguay Open next month🙌💪🎾#tennis #atptour #ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/AvqhU76idG

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) October 22, 2024

Forlan is currently ranked world No #108 in the men’s singles 45+ category. He had reached the finals at MT400 Asuncion in the men’s singles 45+ category two months back. Forlan has only played events on the clay courts and will next focus on playing on grass and hardcourts. He has not played official tournaments or matches in grass and hardcourts.

Also Read: (Watch) Uruguay football legend Diego Forlan tries his hand at tennis

When and where will Diego Forlan make his professional tennis debut?

Forlan will be in action with Coria in men’s doubles as the Uruguay Open is expected to start from November 11 and go on till 17. The event will take place in Montevideo at the Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club. The Challenger event is played on clay with a prize pool of $133,250 this season. It is as of now the only ATP Challenger event held in Uruguay.

The tournament made its debut in the sport in 1994 when Alberto Berasategui of Spain claimed the title. Marcelo Filippini of Uruguay and Luiz Mattar of Brazil captured the men’s doubles title in the inaugural edition.

Former player Pablo Cuevas was the first one from Uruguay to win the singles title in 2009 and partnered with Martin Cuevas in 2009 as they became the first Uruguayan pair to win the men’s doubles title.

Players such as Juan Martin del Potro, David Nalbandian have tasted success in the event. The event has a rich history in the sport as Forlan will hope to be part of the legacy. He will be showing off his volleying skills as his reflexes were already a hit during the 2010 FIFA world cup. He had stunned the world with the Jabulani football but this time the fans will be witnessing him take on a new challenge.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram