Despite crashing out of the Uruguay Open, Diego Forlan lived out a childhood aspiration when he stepped onto the court for his professional tennis debut with Federico Coria.
The match on Thursday morning lasted just 49 minutes, with the ex-Manchester United star and his team-mate handed a severe loss, managing to win only three games. Before fully embracing football, Forlan had shown promise on the junior tennis circuit, and after retiring from the game in 2019 he has returned to his love for another sport.
Forlan – a £7m flop who nevertheless gained cult hero status at Old Trafford for his quickfire brace in a win against Liverpool at Anfield in 2002, prompting the famous chant “He came from Uruguay, he made the Scousers cry” – has been hogging the limelight on the ITF senior tour, even clinching a doubles victory at the ITF 1000 event in Lima this year.
Granted a wildcard entry into the Uruguay Open in Montevideo, Forlan paired up with the world ranked 78th Coria, but the duo faced an uphill battle right from the get-go against the Bolivian team Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos.
Forlan’s highly-anticipated dream quickly descended into disappointment as Arias and Zeballos dominated, knocking them out with a swift 6-1, 6-2 win at the ATP Challenger tournament. The former football star who wowed crowds at the 2010 World Cup was only able to contribute three games in the partnership before defeat struck, with each service game crumbling to breaks.
(Image: Press Association)
Though the result was far from ideal, Forlan displayed enough skill on the court—particularly with his net game and powerful left-handed strokes—which shows promise for his ongoing journey in the ITF senior division. Post-match, despite the tough loss, Forlan chose to remain upbeat, candidly reflecting: “I know my limitations.”
“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.”
As expected, Forlan received a thunderous applause as he entered and exited the clay court, courtesy of a strong home crowd. “I’ll take with me a few volleys, a good smash, and some forehands during the exchanges. Overall, I’m pleased,” he added.
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“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.
“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 is now setting his sights on the ITF senior tour, targeting tournaments in the over-45 category.
The former United star stated: “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, travelling, and enjoying it.”