Just over a month after stepping away from professional tennis, 38-year-old Roberto Bautista Agut has made a triumphant return to competitive sports on the football pitch. The former Wimbledon semi-finalist signed with Spanish seventh-tier outfit CD Els Ibarsos and scored two goals in a 4-2 pre-season victory during his club debut. Having played football in his youth before switching to tennis, the Spaniard has now officially launched the next chapter of his athletic journey.
A Memorable Debut for CD Els Ibarsos
Based roughly 60 miles north of Valencia, CD Els Ibarsos formally presented Roberto Bautista Agut to their supporters prior to kickoff. The club expressed great enthusiasm about having the former world number nine on their roster for the entire upcoming season. Celebrating the signing on Instagram, the organization thanked the fans who created a memorable atmosphere and appreciated the player for placing his trust in their project and local community.
Reconnecting with Childhood Roots
Football represents a familiar path for Bautista Agut. Before focusing fully on tennis, he competed in the youth setup of Spanish side Villarreal until the age of 14. Reflecting on his return to the sport after decades away, he shared on Instagram that this new phase of life is bringing him immense happiness as he takes on fresh competitive challenges.
A Distinguished Tennis Legacy
Before making headlines on the football field, Bautista Agut built an illustrious tennis career. Over his professional tenure, he secured 12 ATP singles titles and played a vital role in Spain's 2019 Davis Cup victory. Boosted by a remarkable run to the semi-finals at Wimbledon earlier that same year, he reached a career-high world ranking of ninth in late 2019.
