When it came to deadliest shots, Diego Forlan had the upper hand over Manchester United’s interim head coach. Ruud van Nistelrooy – on the tennis court.
Now 45, former United striker Forlan hasn’t taken his feet off since retiring from football, and earlier this month he made his professional tennis debut , playing an ATP doubles event in his hometown of Montevideo. And as he embarks on his latest sporting adventure, he remembers the times his two sporting loves crossed paths, including the moment Mr Alex Ferguson backed him to defeat his Dutch strike partner.
“On a pre-season tour to Oregon, USA, we played on a Nike tennis court with Van Nistelrooy,” Forlan said. “It was just a tie-break. Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes were spectators. Even Sir Alex Ferguson came. Everyone was betting on me and, even though I was better than Ruud, I was under pressure.
“You could tell he had played at one point or another. But I had more technique, more resources. I said to myself: ‘I have to win’. Sir Alex bet on me. And he won.
If you want a more high-profile name from his time on the pitch, none are bigger than Diego Maradona.
Of the other soccer stars he has crossed racquets with, Forlan said: “I had the chance to play with several friends and teammates. We once played a doubles match. I played with Kun Agüero against Maxi Rodríguez and Fernando Belasteguín, the star of padel. And then, many years ago, I played against Maradona. He was a competitive guy like no other.
Forlan began playing tennis in his early years, saying he bought his first racket at the age of two. He says the “genetic memory” of that era helped accelerate his return to tennis, helping him compete with much younger players.
After leaving United, Forlan played in Spain, Italy, Brazil, Japan, India and Hong Kong. But it was on his return to Uruguay that he found his other sporting passions.
“When I returned to Uruguay a few years ago, I had the opportunity to play at Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club in Montevideo, the club where I trained for the first time, and little by little, training has become a competition,” he said. In 2023, Forlan made his debut on the ITF Masters Tour. He is currently ranked 113th in the world in the over-45 category.
“I now train four days a week. Winning made me want to improve, to go further and last year I started training with Carlos Obregón. He told me about the ITF1000. I went to four tournaments, played a final, two semi-finals and a quarter-final, and then this opportunity to play doubles came up. It was through Nacho Carou, Davis Cup player for Uruguay. He always said to me: “Come on, Diego, let’s play a tournament together.”
“At first I avoided him, I said no. Two months ago he sent me a photo of Fede Coria saying he wanted to play with me in the Uruguay Challenger. I thought it was just a joke. But that wasn’t the case. Diego Pérez, the tournament organizer, confirmed that they were waiting for me to play the doubles. In the end, I had no choice but to accept. It’s a bit dizzying at first, it’s a huge challenge, but I’m not a tennis player either. I like it, I play it, I’m good at amateur level, but I have nothing to lose. If people see me they will see someone who has improved a lot, but I am a former professional footballer.
It was a time of upheaval at Forlan’s former club United, but he remembers his time in Manchester with great fondness.
“I feel lucky because I played for one of the best clubs in the world,” he recalls. “I won three titles: the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Community Shield. I remember with particular fondness a last minute goal against Chelsea, another against Southampton, a volley I scored against Glasgow Rangers in the Champions League and of course the two goals I scored against Liverpool at Anfield.
“There is no normal explanation (for the club’s recent difficulties). At least I can’t find one. It’s a shame that Manchester United has remained in the shadows for so many years because their current position does not reflect their status nor the weight of their crest and history. The good thing about this club is that they never lose hope and I am convinced that they will be among the best again.
Regarding Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, Forlan describes it as a “logical consequence of the team’s poor form”. He acknowledges the Cups won, but believes a change was necessary as the club’s progress slowed.
Regarding the prospect of Ruben Amorim taking over at Old Trafford, Forlan said: “I have no information, but he is without a doubt one of the most promising managers in Europe. He is young but with clear ideas, he has managed to put Sporting on the map and not only the results but also the way he got there is the guarantee that he will make the big leap to Old Trafford. I think it’s a good bet. I hope he can adapt quickly to England, to the Premier League and that he will be able to detect the bleeding from Manchester United to start growing and dreaming.
