Former Uruguay soccer star Forlan to make pro tennis debut at age 45

Former Uruguay soccer international Diego Forlan, who played for Manchester United and Atletico Madrid, among others, will compete in doubles at the professional Uruguay Open tennis tournament in November, organizers said on Tuesday.

The 45-year-old former striker, a 2010 World Cup semifinalist, has switched to tennis since his retirement in 2018, playing on the international senior tour.

He helped Uruguay reach the semifinals of the 2010 World Cup and win the Copa America title in 2011.

Forlan, who plays left-handed, will team up with current world No 101 Federico Coria of Argentina in the main draw at the Nov 11-17 clay court Challenger Tour event in Montevideo after being given a wild-card entry.

"Yes, our No 10 is smashing it in tennis too," organizers said of Forlan's participation.

"This year, Forlan has competed in more than three over-40 tournaments in Montevideo, also standing out in the MT1000 in Lima on the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour."

Forlan, a Premier League winner with United, won 112 caps for Uruguay scoring 36 goals, and also played for Villarreal and Inter Milan.

Forlan has played ITF Masters tournaments since last year. He said his father, Pablo Forlan, who was also a footballer, also played tennis after his retirement. "He started playing at age 41. That's also why I have played (tennis) since I was 2," he said.

Agencies