From football to tennis it was a moment. A former Inter player has just become a professional tennis player and will compete against Sinner.
Some athletes have decided to pursue careers in other sports after retirement from their main discipline. A well-known example is Bo Jacksonwho excelled at both baseball and American football, becoming an icon for his versatility.
Another interesting example is that of Michael Jordanwho, after having dominated basketball, he tried his hand at baseball with the Birmingham Barons, a minor team.
These changes are rare and demonstrate the ability of some athletes to adapt and excel in different contextstaking advantage of their talent, physique and discipline.
Not everyone, however, was successful in their new disciplines. Sometimes, the specialization and specific skills of one sport are not easily transferable to others, and athletes face a period of adaptation.
From the football field to the tennis field
Diego Forlan undertook a new sporting career at 45moving from football to tennis. After his debut on the ATP Challenger Tour in Uruguayplayed doubles with Federico Coria, but the pair suffered a clear defeat. Despite this, Forlan approached the situation with positivity, underlining that tennis is a great passion of his and that, although he was aware of the difficulties, he had a lot of fun facing the challenge.
The decision to dedicate himself to tennis is not sudden; after leaving football in 2019Forlan started playing padel and subsequently participated in minor tournaments on the ITF circuit. His determination to learn a new sport, even at an advanced age for an athlete, reflects his passion and desire to take on new challenges.
His old career
Forlan was one of the most talented Uruguayan footballers, with a career that saw him as a protagonist in prestigious clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Villarreal. However, his move to Inter in 2011-12 was not so successful, with an unsatisfactory season. Despite this, he remains one of the big names in Uruguayan football, so much so in 2012 he was included among the Guardian’s 100 best active players.
His football career also led him to wear the shirt of the Uruguayan national team, where he left an indelible mark. After hanging up his shoes in 2019, Forlan chose to pursue his passion for tennis, facing a new phase of his professional life with enthusiasm.
