Within weeks of retiring from professional tennis, Roberto Bautista Agut has returned to competitive action on a football pitch.
The 38-year-old former Wimbledon semi-finalist has signed with Spanish seventh-tier club CD Els Ibarsos and netted twice in a 4-2 pre-season victory on his debut.
Bautista Agut enjoyed a distinguished tennis career, capturing 12 singles titles and winning the Davis Cup with Spain in 2019.
He now faces the challenge of establishing success on the football pitch.
Bautista Agut expressed his enthusiasm on Instagram, stating, “It’s a new stage of life that’s making me very happy.”
“May the good start continue!”
Bautista Agut, who progressed through Villarreal’s youth system until age 14 before committing to a tennis career, has now returned to football.
Based approximately 60 miles north of Valencia, CD Ibarsos welcomed Bautista Agut before his debut and expressed enthusiasm at seeing him feature for the club over a full season.
“It is official: Roberto Bautista Agut is a C.D. Els Ibarsos player,” the club announced on Instagram.
“Thank you to everyone who helped create a fantastic atmosphere at this unforgettable event, and to Roberto for entrusting us with this project,” the club said.
Bautista Agut peaked at a career-high world ranking of ninth in late 2019, highlighted by a Wimbledon quarter-final run earlier that year.
