Diego Forlan to make professional tennis debut at the 2024 Uruguay Open

Diego Forlan is regarded as one of the greatest football players to come out of Uruguay.

Next week, however, he will be embarking on a new sporting adventure as he makes his professional tennis debut.

In his homeland, Forlan will compete in the doubles event at the 2024 Uruguay Open alongside Federico Coria.

The 45-year-old announced his retirement from football five years ago, after a career that spanned 21 years at some of the biggest clubs in the world.

Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Villarreal and a two-year stint at Manchester United are just some of the sides that make up his impressive CV.

Accolades include being a Premier League and FA Cup winner in England and a Europa League and UEFA Super Cup winner with Atleti.

He also made over 100 appearances for his national team during his time on the pitch, helping the South Americans win the Copa America in 2011.

Despite his prowess with a ball at his feet, being on the court is something Forlan has loved since he was a child.

“If you asked me when I was playing football if I was going to play on the ATP Tour, I would not have imagined it,” he told BBC Sport.

“I didn’t know if I was going to play tennis even though it was a sport I really liked.”

What started as a way to socialise and keep fit ignited his competitive spirit once more, leading to his ITF Masters Tour debut last year.

Now his pro-event debut is in sight, with the tournament running between 11 and 17 November 2024.

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