Although those who did it at first were a rare bird, it is increasingly common to see former professional athletes change disciplines and also succeed in another modality. Former cyclist Mark Cavendish recently announced that he is putting his bike away and his next challenge will be a marathon. Now former soccer player Diego Forlán (45) takes another leap in his foray into tennis and will debut in November in a professional tournament.
The Uruguayan will debut in doubles at the Montevideo Challenger (the equivalent of the second division of tennis), the most important competition in his country, which will take place from November 11 to 17. He will team up with his compatriot Federico Coria (32), who occupies position 101 in the ATP ranking.
The truth is that Forlán, who successfully passed through the ranks of Manchester United, Villarreal and Atlético de Madrid, always had an attachment to tennis. It was a sport that he practiced regularly in his childhood and adolescence. So much so that his love for football was on par with his taste for the world of tennis. Some Uruguayan media even point out that he focused on soccer because he could earn more money and use it for his sister Alejandra, who became a quadriplegic after an accident in 1991.
He will debut in doubles with Federico Coria, who occupies position 101 in the ATP ranking
When he was active he also enjoyed playing tennis, something that has intensified after hanging up his boots. In fact, the former striker has played some matches on the ITF senior circuit for over-30s. The fact that he reached the quarterfinals at the ITF 1000 in Lima (Peru) in singles and that he was proclaimed champion in doubles with Alberto Brause stands out.
Currently, the former Ballon d’Or winner at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa is ranked 744th in the over-40 category and 108th in the over-45 classification. In this 2024 season, they have played 11 matches (all of them on clay) with a balance of eight wins and three losses. A striking fact about his style is that in tennis he is left-handed, while in soccer he shone with his right foot.
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