Diego Forlán: “I don’t have the level to play singles at the pro level”

We left you a footballer, now you are a tennis player. How did you come into contact with tennis?

DF: It’s a long story! I have played it regularly since childhood. When I was 15-16 years old, I was one of the good people at the Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club, where the Uruguay Open now takes place. But from a moment on, I had to make a sporting choice and it went towards football. I came from a family of footballers (son father Pablo participated in the 1966 and 1974 World Cups, his grandfather Juan Carlos played for Independiente, Editor’s note), so the connection happened more naturally. That said, I never really gave up playing tennis because I really enjoy it. Now that I’m retired, I’ve gotten back into it completely. I train, I enjoy… I can play regularly at amateur level with the ITF. Last week was the very first time I was able to play professionally.

If you had to define yourself tennis-wise, what would your profile be?

DF: When I was little, I played with my right hand. But with my brother’s advice, I started playing with my left hand and it became a habit. Be careful, I’m not ambidextrous either. I can’t choose my strong arm before playing a match. As a left-hander, I have a forehand with range and power. My backhand is less reliable, so I work on it a lot. I played with a one-handed backhand three years ago, then I switched to a two-handed backhand and I see clear improvements in ball striking. Also, I would say that my slice is very good. If I had to choose a preferred surface, it would be clay.

In an interview for the magazine SO FOOTyou explained that Goran Ivanisevic, Boris Becker and Pete Sampras were your favorite tennis players during your childhood. Currently, do you particularly enjoy playing tennis?

DF: Let’s say that I have particular pleasure in observing some of them. If you watch a Nadal, Federer or Djokovic match, it’s to admire very high level tennis. In the past, I watched a lot of David Nalbandian or Guillermo Coria. Today I focus more on Alcaraz and Sinner. With these two, you have the best examples to follow.

This week, Rafael Nadal put an end to his professional tennis career. What comes to mind when you think of him?

DF: His whole career is impressive! His level of tennis then his evolution, his titles, his way of having marked the history of sport… Seeing or rewatching his finals for more than twenty years, especially when it was against Federer or Djokovic, it’s a real treat for all tennis enthusiasts. I had the opportunity to see him play for the first time when I lived in Madrid, then I went to see him several times at Roland Garros. It was always spectacular. I was even able to chat a little with him. His personality is faithful to the image he possesses: he is an educated, humble and elegant person. Some people we have in common know him more than me, but it’s the same words that come out every time.

Tennis players often say that footballers who then turn to tennis are often a nightmare for them. How do you explain it?

DF: Footballers are competitors, they have this ability to be courageous and combative. But in reality, it depends a lot on the level of tennis that the footballer has. Being a former footballer does not give any technical guarantee in tennis. Sometimes, no matter how hard you fight, the difference in level is too great, even if only in the way you hit the ball. The tennis player has more experience in this area.

You played your first match counting for the ATP circuit in doubles with Federico Coria at the Uruguay Open. How did all this become possible?

DF: With Federico, we met a short time ago through Ignacio Carou who plays the Davis Cup with Uruguay. He first invited me to play some Futures, then he told me that Federico Coria wanted to play with me at the Uruguay Open. Then, we finalized our participation with Diego Pérez who organized the tournament. Even though I didn’t have an ATP ranking, this opportunity to be invited into the doubles draw arrived. Even today, I am enormously grateful to them. As soon as we made our participation official, we trained with Federico to prepare for this event.

You didn’t have much luck in the draw since the opposing pair, Bolivians Boris Arias and Federico Zeballos, were seeded number 4. You lost this match 6-1, 6-2. How did you experience this meeting?

DF: It was just fun. From the start we knew it was going to be very difficult, but we were focused on playing together and spending this moment in the best way possible. The public responded, the stadium was full… For my part, it will remain an excellent memory. Playing at a professional level, even if it’s just once, is a huge privilege.

The media coverage of your first on the ATP circuit made the atmosphere exceptional. Did this surprise you or did you expect it?

DF: At first, I didn’t think the enthusiasm would be so strong. But when I saw that the information was spreading everywhere and that it was growing, I told myself that it was going to be full. It was a show for everyone and I am very happy about it.

Doubles is a very particular discipline and very different from singles. Is this your area of ​​expertise in tennis?

DF: I know how to play doubles, but basically, I prefer singles. The problem is that I don’t have the level to play singles at the professional level. In terms of technique and physique, the tennis players are excellent. I don’t have the same ability to repeat their performances. That said, being part of a doubles team in a professional tournament is already a great accomplishment.

With every point you scored, the crowd was fired up to support their national idol. Did you feel helped by the public?

DF: Completely! With every point we scored, the crowd cheered loudly. When you are encouraged in this way with this much passion, it inevitably takes you to the top.

What did you learn from this great first?

DF: For a week, I was able to interact and train with different professional tennis players. I was able to play against Carou, Tristan Boyer who won the singles tournament this year or the Argentinian Genaro Alberto Olivieri. It helps me a lot to improve my game, their advice is very useful.

After this first match, can we expect to see you again on the professional circuit?

DF: Well, that will depend on whether they invite me or not! To qualify, I would need ATP points, but I can’t earn them. Regardless, I’m very happy that I got to play. The most important thing is to continue playing at the ITF level. I play in the over 45 category and I enjoy it. Beyond playing sports, I continue to pay attention to my food hygiene. Good , I’m also enjoying life and if I really want to come back to a professional tennis tournament, I will do it as a spectator, that’s also very nice.