Diego Forlan speaks on 'very special' debut in new sport - despite being thrashed

Former striker made his professional tennis debut at the Uruguay Open in Montevideo.

Forlan partnered Federico Coria after receiving a wildcard entry at the Challenger event, but the pair were suffered a 6-1 6-2 defeat to Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos. Despite the loss, Forlan said the moment as "very special".

Reflecting on the match, Forlan was quoted as saying by : "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.

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"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.

"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 scored 17 goals in 98 appearances for United between 2002 and 2004 and also enjoyed stints at Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Villarreal. After retiring from football in 2019, Forlan had a brief stint in management before he began competing on the ITF Masters tennis tour in 2023.

Forlan is not the first footballer to turn to tennis after retirement, with AC Milan and Italy legend after earning a wildcard entry into the doubles event at an ATP Challenger event in Milan.

However, much like Forlan, Maldini and his doubles partner Stefano Landonio suffered a one-sided 6-1 6-1 defeat against Poland's Tomasz Bednarek and Dutchman David Pel.

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