From grass to clay. From wearing high-heeled boots to slippers with outer soles. From shooting on goal to trying to cross the net. From scoring a goal to subtracting a service. From ball to racket. From football to tennis. This is the metamorphosis he experienced Diego Forlan after its removal from the playing fields.
The former footballer of Manchester United, Villarreal, Atlético de Madrid and Inter Milan, among others, made his debut at the age of 45 in the Open from UruguayChallenger 100 tournament belonging to a category lower than the ATP 250. He did it in doubles, alongside Guillermo Coria, finalist in Roland-Garros in 2004.
He Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club of Montevideowhere Forlán trains, filled its central court to witness the Uruguayan athlete’s conversion to tennis. They vibrated with several kicks in the net from the former footballer which provoked applause. As a striking aspect, it should be noted that the Uruguayan held the racket with his left hand, while in football, despite his great ability with both legs, he was right-handed.
Despite the defeat (6-1, 6-2) against the Bolivian couple formed by Borja Arias and Federico Zeballos, Forlán He left details about its quality for the greatest pleasure of the public. “I am very grateful to have been able to play with Fede Coria, it is not easy for him to play with an amateur next to him. I never imagined or dreamed of this, it’s good to compete with professionals and you have to have courage to do it. The atmosphere on the pitch was spectacular with the support of my family and friends. It was a very special moment and I enjoyed it. “I felt a bit like a tennis player,” Forlán said.
The Forlan magic touch, like the 2010 World Cup 🇺🇾 😉 #ATPChallenger | @DiegoForlan7 pic.twitter.com/LivsUEV8XK
– ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) November 14, 2024
The Uruguayan thanked him. “I liked it a lot, I knew the probability was very high that it would be a difficult match for us, it made sense, so I prepared myself so at least I wouldn’t have such a bad time and be able to enjoy it, and that’s what I did. So grateful to all the people who came, they filled the stadium,” the former player said in the press conference that followed.
A Forlán who also admitted that he will continue playing tennis although he does not know if he will play another match on the ATP Challenger circuit. “I don’t know if I will play any more matches as a professional.. I know I have the opportunity to play ITF tournaments in the +45 class like I did. “I want to continue on this tour with the people at Lawn Tennis and my friends to continue traveling and enjoying it.”
