Diego Forlan: From Football Legend to Tennis Competitor – A Journey into a New Sport

Diego Forlan’s name is synonymous with football success—be it at Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, or on the global stage with Uruguay. But today, Forlan is embracing a new chapter, not on the football pitch, but on the tennis court. The man who terrorised defenders with his two-footed prowess is now taking on a different type of opponent, this time with a racket in hand.

And it turns out, Forlan has been playing tennis competitively for some time, recently making his professional tennis debut in the men’s doubles at the Uruguay Open, an ATP Challenger Tour event. This step into professional tennis isn’t just a novelty for the 45-year-old; it’s a passion that has reignited a love for a sport he once seriously considered pursuing as a career.

The Unexpected Tennis Rivalry With Van Nistelrooy

Forlan’s history with tennis actually stretches back to his childhood, where he was a promising player before opting to pursue a career in football. And his tennis skills didn’t stay hidden for long, even during his days as a professional footballer. In fact, one of Forlan’s most high-pressure tennis moments came in 2003, not long after he joined Manchester United.

While on a pre-season tour in the United States, Forlan found himself challenged to a tennis match by his United teammate, Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. Sir Alex Ferguson, United’s legendary manager, even put money on Forlan winning the match, knowing of his tennis background. Despite the pressure and the entire squad watching—including stars like Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes—Forlan managed to come out on top in a tense tiebreaker.

“I had to win,” Forlan recalls with a laugh. “Everyone expected me to, but inside, I was thinking, ‘I really have to win!’ Sir Alex was cheering for me the whole time.”