Diego Forlan, the former Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and Manchester United striker, has been making waves in the tennis world since July 2023, proving that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. The 45-year-old retired soccer star is set to make his professional tennis debut at the upcoming Uruguay Open, showcasing his skills on a whole new level.
Known as one of the greatest strikers of his generation, Forlan retired from professional soccer in 2019 after an illustrious career that included multiple top scoring awards such as the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe. His success on the soccer field even saw him named the best player and joint top scorer at the 2010 World Cup, solidifying his status as a sports legend.
However, Forlan’s passion for tennis has always burned bright, and six years after hanging up his soccer boots, he took to the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour. With an impressive 73 percent win rate (8-3) this year, including reaching the quarterfinals at an MT1000-level event in Lima and the final at an M400 level in Asuncion, Forlan has shown that he is a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court.
In a statement to the press in June, Forlan shared his excitement for the new challenge, saying, “I like to challenge myself in life. This is a different sport for me, and I really enjoy the challenge of competing against very good players from different countries.” Despite being right-footed in soccer, Forlan is left-handed on the tennis court, showcasing his versatility and talent across multiple disciplines.
With a main draw wild card into the ATP Challenger event, Forlan will be partnering with Argentina’s Federico Coria to make his debut in doubles, much to the excitement of fans and fellow players alike. The tournament’s Instagram post celebrating Forlan’s participation in the event was met with enthusiasm, with many declaring the duo as the “team of the year.”
The Uruguay Challenger, set to be held at the Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club in Montevideo from November 11-17, has seen former singles champions such as Juan Martin del Potro, Diego Schwartzman, and Pablo Cuevas. With Forlan’s entrance into the tennis world, fans and spectators are eagerly awaiting to see how the retired soccer star performs on the court, proving that age is no barrier to pursuing one’s passion and dreams.
