Man united legend Diego Forlan suffers heavy defeat on tennis debut

Manchester United legend Diego Forlan suffered defeat on his tennis debut at the ATP Challenger of Montevideo in Uruguay.

Man united legend Diego Forlan suffers heavy defeat on tennis debut

Diego Forlan (via Daily Express/Daily Mail)

Former Manchester United player Diego Forlan found the perfect stage at the Challenger of Montevideo in Uruguay to make his professional tennis debut. However, the football legend endured a disappointing defeat alongside his partner Fede Coria in the first round of the tournament.

The 45-year-old enjoyed an illustrious football career at top European clubs such as Man United, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan. After retiring from the sport in 2019, Forlan didn’t enjoy his post-playing time with a glass of wine and occasional round of golf, as most legends do. Instead, he has been training to become a professional tennis player.

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Forlan was in action at the Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club for the ATP Challenger and did serve for three games but was broken in each of them. He produced some stellar moments, which got the crowd applause, but the match only went on for 47 minutes as he and his partner Coria lost 1-6, 2-6 to Bolivians Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos.

After the match, Forlan stated that he was excited about his performance. The 2010 FIFA World Cup player of the tournament added that he liked the good aspects of his game.

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. I used to experience it in football, playing in front of 60,000 people, but in that sport is normal for me, not here.

Diego Forlan said (via Daily Express)

Forlan has already made his debut in the ITF circuit and reached the final in Asunción earlier this year. He will hope for more going forward, especially after making his professional debut.

Diego Forlan ready to prove doubters wrong after his professional debut

Diego Forlan has advanced to play in the ITF 1000-level tournament seriously, and his graduation to the ATP Challenger Tour speaks volumes of the player’s commitment. Despite being written off as too old to start a new career, it is reported that he practices four times a week.

Diego Forlan 1
Diego Forlan (Image via X)

Forlan is also working with a coach, former Uruguayan Davis Cup captain Enrique Perez, to improve his technique. In the aforementioned press conference, he revealed that despite the early speculations about his career, he is focused on enjoying the sport.

Everyone starts to speculate when you start a new career, right? The next thing is to keep playing, enjoying, and playing at the ITF level, where there is really good competition. The truth is that it’s a delightful experience. The plan is to keep at it, with people from Lawn Tennis, friends, travelling, and enjoying it.

Diego Forlan said

Forlan enjoyed a two-decade-long career in football lifting several major honors. He did spend three years at Manchester United (2001-2004), scoring 17 goals for the club. He is a two-time winner of both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe at the club level