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Diego Forlan made his pro tennis debut on Wednesday, November 13, in a doubles match at the Uruguay Open on the ATP Challenger Tour. The former soccer player partnered with Federico Coria in a disappointing debut loss.
The Uruguay Open witnessed a spectacle on Wednesday, as national soccer hero Diego Forlan made his tennis debut at Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club in Montevideo. The 45-year-old entered the Center Court amid much fanfare, and a huge crowd turned up to cheer the soccer icon.
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Forlan, partnering with Federico Coria, played his fitst tennis match against the team of Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos in the ATP Challenger Tour. The fourth-seeded pair from Bolivia was too hot to handle for the Uruguay-Argentina duo. Forlan and Coria managed to win only three games en route toa disappointing 1-6, 2-6 loss.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball winner, however, had a 'magic' moment on the tennis court. In the first game of the second set, Forlan pulled off a deft touch at the net to outfox his opponents and win the point.
Watch Forlan's 'magic touch' below:
Former Uruguayan striker Forlan, who retired from football in 2019, enjoyed a celebrated career, playing for big clubs like Manchester United, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid.
He helped Uruguay reach the semifinals of the World Cup in 2010, and his two goals in the 2011 Copa América final helped Uruguay secure th title.
Forlan has developed a passion for tennis, competing in various amateur masters tournaments over the past five years. His skill and dedication earned him a special invitation to Uruguay’s premier professional tennis event, the Uruguay Open, giving fans the thrill of watching the sports legend in action on the court.
"It was very special" - An upbeat Diego Forlan reflects on his tennis debut at the Uruguay Open
After his much-anticipated tennis debut, Diego Forlan reflected on the thrill of competing at the Uruguay Open. He shared (via CLAY):
"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," Forlan admitted, though he is unsure if he’ll have a similar experience again. "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, with people from lawn tennis, friends, traveling, and enjoying it."
Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos, the Bolivian pair that defeated Forlan and Federico Coria in the first round, will face another Uruguay-Argentina pair, Franco Roncadelli and Mariano Kestelboim, in the quarterfinal.
