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Forlán to make pro tennis debut at age 45

Published:Thursday | October 24, 2024 | 12:06 AM
Uruguay’s Diego Forlan arrives to one of his country’s practice sessions at Arena do Jacare Stadium in Sete Lagoas, Brazil, on June 12, 2014.
AP File
Uruguay’s Diego Forlan arrives to one of his country’s practice sessions at Arena do Jacare Stadium in Sete Lagoas, Brazil, on June 12, 2014.

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP):

FORMER URUGUAY striker Diego Forlán will make his professional tennis debut next month when he plays doubles at an ATP Challenger tournament.

The 45-year-old Forlán will play with Argentina’s Federico Coria at the clay court Uruguay Open, tournament organisers confirmed. The tournament begins on November 11.

Forlán, who retired from football in 2019, played for Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Internazionale and Penarol.

He helped Uruguay reach the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup and win the Copa America title in 2011.

Forlán has played ITF Masters tournaments since last year. He said his father, Pablo Forlán, who was also a footballer, also played tennis after his retirement.

“He started playing at age 41. That’s also why I have played (tennis) since I was two,” the former Uruguay striker said.