MONTEVIDEO/STARNBERG, November 5, 2024
With former Uruguayan football star Diego Forlan set to make his debut at a professional tennis tournament and confirmation that at least two home favourites will feature in the singles main draw, the Uruguay Open ATP Challenger Tour 100 event was launched this Tuesday at Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club in Montevideo.
After welcoming speeches from the club’s president, Uruguay’s Secretary of Sports Sebastian Bauza, and Tourism Undersecretary Remo Monzeglio, tournament director Diego Perez and Forlan took the stage. Perez announced that in addition to Franco Roncadelli, another Uruguayan, Joaquin Aguilar, would join the main draw as a wild card entry.
Forlan, who fondly recalled his childhood memories at Carrasco, shared his excitement for the tournament: “It will be very different playing on court 10 with so many people, friends, and familiar faces watching me in a sport I’m still learning.” Forlan, who is new to professional tennis, is approaching the tournament as a challenge to enjoy rather than a new career path. He expressed his gratitude to Perez, his doubles partner Federico Coria, and “Nacho” Carou, who encouraged him to try tennis competitively.
Forlan also added that his idols in tennis are Uruguay’s top players like Filippini, Perez, Damiani, and Cuevas, as well as Rafael Nadal, whom he admires as a fellow left-hander.
Forlan was one of the most talented forwards of his generation. He played for top clubs worldwide, including Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and Villarreal. Forlan’s career peaked internationally at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, leading Uruguay to a fourth-place finish.
Born in 1979 in Montevideo, Forlan comes from a family with a deep football legacy. He won numerous accolades, including two European Golden Shoe awards, and was named Best Player of the Copa America in 2011.
As fans await Forlan’s debut tennis match, tickets are already available for the main draw from November 11 to 17 through Tickantel, with free entry for the qualifying rounds on November 10.
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