The legendary Uruguayan striker Diego Forlán, known for his successful career in European football, has surprised the sports world by making his professional tennis debut at the age of 45. In an unexpected twist in his life, Forlán decided to participate in the Uruguay Open, an ATP Challenger tournament, where he competed in the doubles category alongside Argentine player Federico Coria. Although the result was not as hoped—they lost to the Bolivian pair Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos—the debut was met with great enthusiasm from fans who filled the stands of the Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club in Montevideo.

This unexpected debut comes at a time when more and more former footballers are seeking new athletic challenges after retirement. Forlán, far from aiming for a new professional career, made it clear that his foray into tennis is driven by a passion he has nurtured since childhood: “I feel like a kid on the court, enjoying every moment,” the Uruguayan commented after the match. Despite the loss, he showed his competitive spirit and was cheered on by a crowd that has followed him since his glory days with the Uruguay national team.

FOOTBALL STAR

Diego Forlán, born in Montevideo in 1979, established himself as one of the best forwards of his generation. After starting in the youth ranks of Peñarol and Danubio, he made his professional debut in Argentina with Independiente, where his goal-scoring prowess caught the attention of Manchester United. Under Sir Alex Ferguson’s management, Forlán won the Premier League in the 2002-2003 season, although his greatest success came in Spain.

It was with Villarreal CF that his goal-scoring ability truly shone, earning him the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe in the 2004-2005 season, sharing the latter accolade with Thierry Henry. His time at Atlético de Madrid marked another golden chapter in his career: with 32 goals in the 2008-2009 season, he once again became the league’s top scorer and was a key player in their Europa League 2010 victory and the UEFA Super Cup, where he was named the best player of the final in Hamburg.

SOUTH AFRICA 2010

Diego Forlán’s name was etched in the history of world football thanks to his outstanding performance in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. As the undisputed leader of the Uruguayan national team, he guided his squad to the semifinals, becoming the tournament’s best player. He scored five goals, including a memorable free-kick against Ghana in the quarter-finals, which was crucial in taking Uruguay to a penalty shootout and securing their spot in the semifinals.

Forlán was not only the team’s top scorer but was also awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the World Cup. At the age of 31, he led a Uruguayan team that exceeded all expectations, finishing in a historic fourth place, the country’s best performance in nearly half a century.

FROM RETIREMENT TO TENNIS

After a football career spanning more than 20 years, Forlán decided to hang up his boots in 2019. Following his retirement, he found a new passion in tennis, which, interestingly, was his first love in sports before turning to football. Inspired by the legacy of his father, Pablo Forlán, who also ventured into tennis after his football career, Diego began playing recreationally and participating in amateur ITF (International Tennis Federation) circuit tournaments.

At 45 years old, Forlán trains under the guidance of Enrique Pérez Cassarino, a renowned Uruguayan coach and former Davis Cup captain. His training regimen includes four sessions per week, focusing on refining his technique and endurance to meet the demands of professional tennis. Although he is not aiming to replicate his football success in this new sport, his goal is clear: “I want to enjoy and compete, without the pressure of winning major titles.”

RETURN TO HIS ROOTS

For Diego Forlán, tennis has been a constant in his life, having alternated between the football pitch and the tennis court from a young age. His venture into professional tennis is a return to his roots, a sport he always shared with his father and now allows him to once again experience the adrenaline of competition.

Surprisingly, Forlán has shown to be ambidextrous in sports: while he was right-footed in football, he prefers to wield the tennis racket with his left hand. Although his debut at the Uruguay Open was more symbolic than competitive, Forlán has already achieved some success in veterans’ tournaments and ITF events, reaching a final in Asunción and winning a doubles title in Lima.

A LEGACY FOR THE GENERATIONS

Beyond the results, what stands out most in this new chapter of Diego Forlán’s life is his ability to reinvent himself and continue competing. Throughout his career, Forlán has demonstrated unwavering dedication and a competitive spirit that now drives him to excel in a completely different arena than the one that made him a football legend.

Diego Forlán’s story is an inspiring testament to how passion for sports knows no boundaries or age limits, and how old dreams can come alive in new forms. At 45, he has proven that his love for sports remains his main motivation, whether it’s scoring goals in a packed stadium or chasing points on a tennis court.