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22nd October 2024
12:25pm BST
Manchester United striker Diego Forlan is set to return to professional sport as he prepares himself for a new career.
Forlan gave up tennis three decades ago to follow in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and brother as he became a professional footballer.
He made his professional debut at Argentine side Independiente in October 1998 before moving to Manchester United where he made 98 appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson.
He went on to enjoy spells at Villarreal, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan during the prime of his career.
He finished his 21-year playing career having made 693 appearances and scored 272 goals.
Since hanging up his boots, the 45-year-old has gone back to his roots, competing in numerous tennis tournaments on a non-professional tour for players aged 30 and over called the ITF Masters Championship.
However, he is set to make his professional tournament debut in the Uruguay Open as he joins up with Argentina’s Federico Coria, the former world number 49.
Forlan will compete alongside doubles partner Coria after being granted a wildcard spot for the ATP Challenger event.
An announcement read: "Attention tennis and sports fans! This year at the Uruguay Open, we have an UNMISSABLE duo in doubles: Argentine tennis player Federico Coria (currently number 78 in the ATP ranking) and former Uruguayan football player Diego Forlan.
"Yes, our number 10 is smashing it in tennis too! This year, Forlan has competed in more than three +40 tournaments in Montevideo, also standing out in the MT1000 in Lima of the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour."
They also shared a few fun facts about Forlan’s tennis style: "Fun fact: Forlán is left-handed at tennis, the opposite to how he played football, and his right-hand stroke is the most powerful. What do you think of this news? Do you have faith in this duo?"
The Uruguayan was a promising junior at Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club when he was growing up.
Speaking of the career change, he told ITF Tennis earlier this year: “I like to challenge myself in life. This is a different sport for me, and I really enjoy the challenge of competing against very good players from different countries.”
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