Former Manchester United Striker Falters on Professional Tennis Debut at 45

At the Uruguay Open in Montevideo, the 45-year-old teamed up with Argentine player Federico Coria to compete against the Bolivian duo of Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos.

Forlan and Coria got a wildcard to play in the ATP Challenger Tour event, which is the rung below the ATP Tour.

The former Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal striker got plenty of support in his home country, but it did not prove to be of any help as his team were comfortably beaten.

The match lasted just 47 minutes, with Forland and Coria unable to earn a break point over the contest.

Reflecting on the occasion, Forlan said, via ClayTenis.com: ‘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.

‘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. I felt like a tennis player for a moment.’

The Uruguayan was a talented tennis player in his childhood, but obviously chose to focus on footbal instead, before returning to the court after retiring from the pitch.

In an interview with the Athletic earlier this year, Forlan said he practices four times a week and was drawn back to the sport due to his desire to keep fit and active.

‘I need something where I can run,’ he said. ‘Golf, you play in beautiful places — I like it and I still do it, but I need something different, something more similar to football.

‘I started training and playing tennis and I was getting better and better. At first, I would play the top players at the club and players from around Uruguay and it was easy for them to beat me.

‘Then it became more difficult. Now I can win. At the club tournaments, I was losing in the first round, now I’m winning a lot of them.’

Forlan has been playing on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Masters Tour, which is for players 30 and over.

Of his Masters Tour experience, he said: ‘I like to challenge myself in life.

‘This is a different sport for me, and I really enjoy the challenge of competing against very good players from different countries. Off the court, it has been nice to meet people and to travel. These are aspects of the Masters Tour that I enjoy a lot.’