Diego Forlan: Former Manchester United striker to make skilled tennis debut in Uruguay

Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan will play his first skilled ATP doubles tennis match in his native Uruguay subsequent month.

The 45-year-old, who retired from soccer in 2019, will play Argentina’s Federico Coria on the Uruguay Open in Montevideo.

Forlan, who was a promising tennis participant in his youth, has been taking part in in ITF Masters occasions – most not too long ago within the 45 and over class.

However subsequent month’s match is a acknowledged ATP occasion and stays on the second-tier Challenger Tour, requiring Forlan to earn a wild card.

His teammate Coria is world quantity 101 in singles, reaching a profession excessive of 49 in 2023.

Forlan joined Manchester United in 2002 and made 98 appearances for the membership earlier than becoming a member of La Liga facet Villarreal.

In Spain, Forlan received the European Golden Shoe – awarded to the highest goalscorer in Europe – twice.

The striker received the Golden Ball on the 2010 World Cup after Uruguay completed third in South Africa, and helped his nation to the Copa America title in 2011.