Diego Forlán's debut in professional tennis begins with a doubles loss at the Uruguay Open

Diego Forlán’s debut in professional tennis begins with a doubles loss at the Uruguay Open

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Uruguay’s Diego Forlan returns the ball to Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos during a men’s doubles tennis match at the 2024 Uruguay Open in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

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Uruguay’s Diego Forlan holds a towel up to his face during a men’s doubles tennis match against Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos at the 2024 Uruguay Open in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

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Uruguay’s Diego Forlan looks at the ball during a men’s doubles tennis match at the 2024 Uruguay Open in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

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Uruguay’s Diego Forlan, right, and teammate Federico Coria leave the court after a men’s doubles match against Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos at the 2024 Uruguay Open in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

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Uruguay’s Diego Forlan returns the ball to Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos during a men’s doubles tennis match with teammate Federico Coria at the 2024 Uruguay Open in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

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Uruguay’s Diego Forlan, right, talks to teammate Federico Coria during a men’s doubles tennis match against Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos at the 2024 Uruguay Open in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

By RAMIRO BARREIRO

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Former soccer star Diego Forlán’s newfound career in professional tennis started with a doubles loss Wednesday at the Uruguay Open.

The 45-year-old Forlán and Federico Coria of Argentina lost 6-1, 6-2 to Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos in the first round of the ATP’s second-tier challenger tour.

Forlán and Coria were granted wild-card entries to play doubles in the tournament.

The Uruguayan striker retired from soccer in 2019 after playing with top clubs such as Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan. Forlán was the 2010 World Cup’s best player and joint highest scorer; and netted twice in the 2011 Copa America final to help Uruguay win its first continental trophy in 16 years.

For the past five years, Forlán has taken part in amateur master’s tennis tournaments, and had some success that earned him the invitation to play in Uruguay’s biggest professional tournament.

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