Former Manchester United Striker, Diego Forlan, Will Debut Professional Tennis

Diego Forlan will debut at the ATP professional tennis at the Uruguay Open 2024 (Instagram/@diegoforlancorazo).

JAKARTA - Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan will make ATP's debut in a double tournament at the Uruguay Open 2024 next month.

The former Uruguayan national team player will play alongside Argentine player Federico Coria, who is ranked 101 in the ATP singles.

The tournament, which is part of the ATP Challenger Tour, the second highest level in a tennis tournament, will take place from 11-17 November 2024 on Montevideo.

Uruguay Open Tournament Director Diego Lopez confirmed that Forlan had accepted an invitation to play in the tournament.

"I have received confirmation from him that he wants to play. He has been preparing himself for some time, practiced tennis a lot," he said.

"I think he deserves this opportunity and gives him mutual satisfaction. Of course I am talking about the Diego Forlan we love," Lopez said again.

Forlan, now 45, retired from football in August 2019 after playing for Villarreal, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan.

He won the Golden Ball award as the best player in the 2010 World Cup, which Uruguay reached the semifinals.

Forlan returned to tennis in 2023 after pursuing this sport since childhood.

"My father played football and after retiring at the age of 41, he started playing tennis."

I started (playing tennis) at the age of two. It was later discovered that I dedicated myself to football before dedicating myself to this sport as often as I do now," Forlan said.

Diego Forlan played for Manchester United in the 2002-2004 season. He scored 63 appearances and contributed 10 goals.