Retired footballer Diego Forlan lost 6-1 6-2 in 47 minutes on his professional tennis debut in a doubles event in his native Uruguay.
The former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker, 45, and his Argentinian partner Federico Coria lost to Bolivian duo Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos after receiving a wildcard into the Uruguay Open in Montevideo.
The tournament took place on the ATP Challenger Tour – the level below the main ATP circuit.
Forlan, Coria and their opponents held serve to start the match, but Arias and Zeballos quickly retired after earning a break in the third game of the first set.
The second set followed in similar fashion with Forlan and Coria, ranked 49th in singles last year, struggling to compete in their opponents’ service games and not getting a break point.
Forlan was a promising junior tennis player in his youth and returned to playing more regularly after his 20-year football career.
He played with friends in the Montevideo club league and debuted on the ITF Masters Tour in 2023.
Forlan was strongly supported by the home crowd throughout and posed for photos with fans after the defeat.
