Ex-Manchester United striker Diego Forlan lasted just 49 minutes on his professional tennis debut in his native Uruguay.
The 45-year-old was beaten in straight sets (6-1, 6-2) in a doubles match played at the Uruguay Open in Montevideo on the ATP Challenger Tour which ranks at one level below the main ATP Tour.
Diego Forlan was given a baptism of fire on his professional tennis debut alongside partner Federico Coria[/caption]
Forlan recently made headlines on the ITF senior tour after winning the doubles title at the ITF 1000 in Lima earlier this year.
However, this time things did not exactly go to plan for the Man United cult hero and Argentine doubles partner Federico Coria who lost convincingly to Bolivian pair Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos after receiving a wildcard entry for the event.
The match began brightly for Forlan and Coria, holding serve in the opening game. But the more experienced pairing of Arias and Zeballos romped to a first set advantage after breaking serve in the third game.
It did not get any better for Forlan and world No. 78 Coria in the second set as they struggled to deal with their opponents’ service game.
The Bolivian pair brought the match to a premature end by taking the final set 6-2 and completing the rout in just 49 minutes.
Despite the defeat, Forlan was well supported by the home crowd and even stopped to pose for photographs with fans after the match.
Reflecting on his debut, Forlan said: “I know my limitations. I’m grateful for the opportunity to play with Fede. It’s not easy for him to enter these tournaments with an amateur beside him.
“I hadn’t even imagined, let alone dreamed of this. It’s wonderful to have played against professionals – it takes courage to do it.
“I’ll take with me a few volleys, a good smash, and some forehands during the exchanges. Overall, I’m pleased,” he continued.
“There was a big crowd, which you don’t always see in tennis. I used to experience it in football, playing in front of 60,000 people, but in that sport it’s normal for me, not here.
The former Man United star was unable to get the better of the more experienced pairing of Arias and Zeballos[/caption]
Fans flocked in their droves to watch Forlan’s professional tennis debut[/caption]
“The atmosphere on this court that I love so much was incredible; my friends, my family were here.
“It was very special, and I enjoyed it,” he said. I felt like a tennis player for a moment.”
The loss is unlikely to deter Forlan from running out on court again in the near future.
The Uruguayan was a budding tennis player as a child and has now returned to the sport following a successful football career.
