Diego Forlan, former Mumbai City FC star, makes Pro-Tennis debut at 45

Diego Forlan, the Uruguayan football legend and former Mumbai City FC player, has ventured into a new sporting challenge: professional tennis.

At 45, Forlan recently debuted in the doubles category at the Uruguay Open, an ATP Challenger event in Montevideo.

Partnering Argentine Federico Coria, Diego Forlan faced defeat in his maiden ATP appearance, losing 6-1, 6-2 to Bolivia’s Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos.

Pro-debut at 45

Despite the defeat, Forlan’s move to professional tennis has captured the public's imagination.

Forlan’s journey in tennis may have seen a challenging start but it's a notable addition to an already impressive career in football.

Entering the Uruguay Open via a wildcard, Forlan paired with Coria to test his skills on the professional stage.

While the Bolivian team overpowered the Uruguayan and his partner in a 47-minute match, Forlan’s debut underscored his dedication to this new chapter.

Though Forlan is right-handed, he plays tennis with his left, a choice influenced by his admiration for Rafael Nadal.

Interestingly, this ambidextrous ability has roots in his early years when his brother encouraged him to use his left hand to hold the tennis racket.

Forlan’s skills with both feet on the football field were well-known, making his left-handed tennis play an extension of his adaptable nature.

The Uruguayan's foray to tennis was encouraged by Carlos Obregon, a friend who competes in the 65+ age category.

After retiring from football in 2019, Forlan had participated in several amateur tournaments but Obregon’s suggestion motivated him to give competitive tennis a shot.

Under the guidance of Enrique Perez, a former Uruguayan Davis Cup captain, Forlan trained rigorously, entering tournaments in the 45+ ITF age category.

Currently, Forlan holds rankings of No.102 in singles and No. 86 in doubles in the 45+ ITF category, rankings he is working to improve.

Stint at Mumbai City FC

In 2016, Forlan joined the Indian Super League side Mumbai City FC, where he played 12 matches, scoring five goals.

Interestingly, he starred in a game against Kerala Blasters where he scored a hattrick.

While Forlan’s time in India with Mumbai City FC may have been short-lived, fans will remember his stint for a long time to come.

In addition to his football adventure in India, Forlan’s illustrious football career included spells at Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan.

Now, as Forlan embarks on an ambitious tennis journey, fans and fellow athletes are eager to see how the legendary footballer adapts to the demands of professional tennis.

His presence in the sport shines a spotlight on age defying athletic pursuits and proves that the love for competition transcends sports boundaries.