Diego Forlan speaks out after professional tennis debut lasts just 49 minutes

Diego Forlan, the former Manchester United striker, swapped football boots for a tennis racket as he made his professional tennis debut at the Uruguay Open in Montevideo. Teaming up with Federico Coria after a wildcard entry into the ATP Challenger event, the duo faced a tough match, ultimately succumbing to Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos with a scoreline of 6-1, 6-2. Despite the defeat, Forlan described the experience as "very special".

Speaking to claytenis.com, Forlan expressed his gratitude: "I'm grateful for the opportunity to play with Fede. It's not easy for him to enter these tournaments with an amateur beside him.



"I hadn't even imagined, let alone dreamed of this. It's wonderful to have played against professionals – it takes courage to do it. The atmosphere on this court that I love so much was incredible; my friends, my family were here.

"It was very special, and I enjoyed it. I felt like a tennis player for a moment. I'll take with me a few volleys, a good smash, and some forehands during the exchanges.

Overall, I'm pleased. There was a big crowd, which you don't always see in tennis." Reflecting on his football days, he added: "I used to experience it in football, playing in front of 60,000 people, but in that sport is normal for me, not here.

I know I have opportunities to play ITF tournaments in the +45 category, which is where I've been competing. The plan is to keep at it." Forlan netted 17 goals in 98 appearances between 2002 and 2004 for Man United but has taken up tennis after retiring from football in 2019.

The Uruguayan also had successful spells at Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Villarreal before briefly managing and then joining the ITF Masters tennis tour in 2023. Interestingly, Forlan isn't the first footballer to switch to tennis post-retirement. AC Milan and Italy legend Paolo Maldini made his professional debut in 2017, earning a wildcard entry into the doubles event at an ATP Challenger event in Milan.

However, like Forlan, Maldini and his partner Stefano Landonio were defeated 6-1, 6-1 by Poland's Tomasz Bednarek and Dutchman David Pel..