Former footballer Paolo Maldini’s professional tennis debut ended in defeat at the Aspria Tennis Cup in Milan.

The Italy and AC Milan great earned a wild card into the doubles event at the ATP Challenger tournament – one level below the main tour – after winning a qualifier with partner and coach Stefano Landonio.

Maldini, who turned 49 on Monday, and Landonio, a 46-year-old once ranked 975, were never likely to offer too much resistance against Poland’s Tomasz Bednarek and Dutchman David Pel.

Sure enough the match was one-sided, but Maldini and Landonio did manage to win two games in a 6-1 6-1 defeat that lasted 42 minutes.

Provided by Press Association