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

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

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

2024-11-14 10:15 Last Updated At:10:20

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.

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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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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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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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

After crashing his SUV last week in Florida, Tiger Woods took out his phone and told a deputy, “I was just talking to the president,” according to body camera footage released Thursday showing Woods' arrest on a DUI charge.

The phone conversation was not captured on video, but Woods could be heard saying, “Thank you so much,” as he hung up and the deputy approached. It wasn't clear if Woods was referring to President Donald Trump, whose former daughter-in-law, Vanessa Trump, is dating Woods.

Shortly after the golfer's March 27 arrest, Trump was asked about Woods and told reporters: “I feel so badly. He’s got some difficulty. Very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person. Amazing man. But, some difficulty.”

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Trump spoke to Woods after the crash.

The footage also shows how Woods appeared to be astonished as he was handcuffed after failing a sobriety test and a video from the back of the patrol car shows the handcuffed golfer hiccupping, yawning and repeatedly appearing to nod off during the 15-minute ride.

Woods told authorities he was looking at his phone and changing the radio station when his speeding Land Rover clipped the back of a truck and rolled onto its side on a residential road on Jupiter Island. No one was injured.

“I looked down at my phone, and all of a sudden — boom,” Woods told an officer as he knelt on a lawn, prior to his arrest.

Body camera footage shows Martin County Sheriff’s Deputy Tatiana Levenar then conducting a roadside sobriety test and telling Woods: “I do believe your normal faculties are impaired, and you’re under an unknown substance, so at this time you’re under arrest for DUI."

“I’m being arrested?” Woods responded.

“Yes, sir,” Levenar said.

After handcuffing Woods, authorities searched his pockets and found two white pills.

“That’s a Norco,” Woods said after an officer pulled out the pills, referring to a painkiller that contains acetaminophen and the opioid hydrocodone. Authorities would later confirm that Woods was in possession of hydrocodone.

In the body camera footage, Woods told Levenar that he had not drunk any alcohol and that he had taken “a few” medications earlier in the day, though Woods’ words are muted in the released video as he describes some of the drugs.

At the sheriff’s office complex, after Woods was escorted into the “DUI room” where drivers are tested for being under the influence, Woods said, “I’m not drunk. I’m on a prescription medication,” according to a supplemental sheriff’s office report released Thursday.

Woods, 50, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to suspicion of driving under the influence. He posted a statement Tuesday night saying that he was stepping away indefinitely “to seek treatment and focus on my health.”

Woods agreed to a Breathalyzer test that showed no signs of alcohol, but he refused a urine test, authorities said. Under a change to Florida law last year, refusing an officer’s request to take a breath, blood or urine test became a misdemeanor, even for a first offense.

During the field sobriety test, deputies noticed Woods limping and that he had a compression sock over his right knee. Woods explained he had undergone seven back surgeries and over 20 surgeries on his right leg, and that his ankle seizes up while walking.

Woods, who was hiccupping during questioning, continuously moved his head during one of the sobriety tests and deputies had to tell him several times to keep his head straight, according to an arrest report.

“Based on my observations of Woods, how he performed the exercises and based on my training, knowledge, and experience, I believed that Woods normal faculties were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate the motor vehicle,” Levenar wrote.

Woods is the most influential figure in golf and has become as recognizable as any athlete in the world. The first person of Black heritage to win the Masters in 1997, he has captivated golf fans with records likely never to be broken.

His injuries have kept him from accomplishing more, including from a 2021 Los Angeles car crash that damaged his right leg so badly he said doctors considered amputation. He has not played an official event since the 2024 British Open. He was recovering from a seventh back surgery in October and was trying to return at the Masters, where he is a five-time champion.

—-

Associated Press writer Mike Schneider in Orlando, Florida, contributed to this report.

In this image from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods sits in an unmarked police vehicle as he speaks with law enforcement personnel following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods sits in an unmarked police vehicle as he speaks with law enforcement personnel following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods speaks on his cellphone following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods speaks on his cellphone following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods speaks on his cellphone as he steps out of an unmarked police vehicle following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods speaks on his cellphone as he steps out of an unmarked police vehicle following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods hangs up his cellphone and tells a sheriff deputy “I was just talking to the president" following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods hangs up his cellphone and tells a sheriff deputy “I was just talking to the president" following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image from video provided by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods is strapped into a police vehicle following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image from video provided by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods is strapped into a police vehicle following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods performs a field sobriety test for sheriff's deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods performs a field sobriety test for sheriff's deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods is taken into custody by sheriff's deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods is taken into custody by sheriff's deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image from video provided by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods is strapped into a police vehicle following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image from video provided by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods is strapped into a police vehicle following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image taken from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods performs a field sobriety test for sheriff's deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image taken from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods performs a field sobriety test for sheriff's deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

Golfer Tiger Woods stands by his overturned vehicle in Jupiter Island, Fla., on Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Oteri)

Golfer Tiger Woods stands by his overturned vehicle in Jupiter Island, Fla., on Friday, March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Oteri)

In this image taken from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods speaks with sheriff's deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image taken from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods speaks with sheriff's deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image taken from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, sheriff's deputies holds two pills from a search of golfer Tiger Woods' pants following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Department via AP)

In this image taken from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, sheriff's deputies holds two pills from a search of golfer Tiger Woods' pants following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Department via AP)

In this image taken from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods is taken into custody by sheriff's deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image taken from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods is taken into custody by sheriff's deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image taken from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods performs a field sobriety test for sheriff's deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

In this image taken from police body camera video released by the Martin County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, golfer Tiger Woods performs a field sobriety test for sheriff's deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

The Martin County Sheriff's Office welcome sign is displayed outside Friday, March 27, 2026 (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

The Martin County Sheriff's Office welcome sign is displayed outside Friday, March 27, 2026 (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

This handout photo provided by the Martin County Sheriff's Office shows Tiger Woods, in Stuart, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

This handout photo provided by the Martin County Sheriff's Office shows Tiger Woods, in Stuart, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff's Office via AP)

Tiger Woods leaves the Martin County Sheriff's Office jail facility following his involvement in a car crash where he was arrested on a DUI charge on Friday, March 27, 2026 (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

Tiger Woods leaves the Martin County Sheriff's Office jail facility following his involvement in a car crash where he was arrested on a DUI charge on Friday, March 27, 2026 (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)

FILE- Golfer Tiger Woods stands by his overturned vehicle in Jupiter Island, Fla., March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Oteri, File)

FILE- Golfer Tiger Woods stands by his overturned vehicle in Jupiter Island, Fla., March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jason Oteri, File)

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