Diego Forlan loses on professional tennis debut | OneFootball

Former Manchester United and Uruguay striker Diego Forlan has lost on his professional tennis debut in a doubles event in Uruguay.

The 45-year-old, who retired in August 2019, lost 6-1 6-2 in 47 minutes alongside Argentine partner Federico Coria to Bolivian pair Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos after receiving a wildcard for the Uruguay Open in Montevideo.

The tournament was on the ATP Challenger Tour – the level below the main ATP Tour.

Forlan, whose footballing career spanned 21 years, announced he was beginning his professional tennis career earlier last month. The Uruguayan returned to playing tennis more regularly after he retired, before making his ITF Masters Tour debut in 2023.

The forward signed for United from Argentinian club Independiente in 2002, winning a Premier League title in 2003 and an FA Cup in 2004.

After making 98 appearances and scoring just 17 goals for the Red Devils, Forlan joined Villarreal before later playing for Atletico Madrid as well as Inter Milan. Spells in Brazil, Japan, Uruguay, India and Hong Kong followed before Forlan hung up his boots.

He also scored 36 goals in 112 appearances for his country, finishing as joint top goalscorer at the 2010 World Cup, and won the 2011 Copa America.