Forlan to represent Uruguay at ITF Masters Tour World Championships
Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan will write another chapter into his tennis story when he competes at next month’s ITF World Tennis Masters Tour World Championships.
Forlan is set to represent Uruguay at the ITF Masters World Team Championships, which will be hosted by the Turkish Tennis Federation from 9-14 March at the Ali Bey Club in Manavgat, Turkiye. The ITF Masters Word Individual Championships follow from 15-22 March.
Forlan will join his Uruguay teammates – Alberto Brause, Alfredo Bruce and Augusto Ricciardi – in contesting the Dubler Cup, which is the team event at the World Championships for men aged 45 and above.
Forlan, who also represented Villareal, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan during an illustrious football career, made his professional tennis debut in the doubles event at the ATP’s Montevideo Challenger in November 2024.
In addition, the 45-year-old has played six events on the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour, most recently at MT400 Punta del Este, also in November, where he reached the final but gave a walkover to his opponent. He is currently ranked No. 101 in the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour Rankings for players aged 45+, and has an ITF World Tennis Number of 18.1
Forlan was a keen tennis player in his youth and ex-Manchester United players have previously recounted a nail-biting on-court showdown between him and Ruud van Nistelrooy when both were on the books of the Red Devils.
But the 45-year-old has never previously experienced an ITF World Tennis Masters Tour World Championships, which is the pinnacle of competition on the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour.
The ITF Masters World Team Championships in Manavgat will see players aged 30 and above through to 45 and above represent their nations. A total of 126 teams will be present.
Speaking last year about his experiences on the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour, Forlan, who amassed more than 100 caps for Uruguay and won the Golden Ball at the 2010 World Cup, 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.”
Club and park tennis players from Uruguay who are interested in competing can sign up for an ITF World Tennis Number at www.worldtennisnumber.com. Further information on how ITF World Tennis Number may improve your experience of playing tennis - or maybe even encourage you to pick up a racket for the first time - is also available on the website.