By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Photo credit: Internazionali BNL d’Italia Facebook
Speculation surrounding World No. 1 Jannik Sinner potentially bringing on a former French Open champion as his coach in 2026 has been dismissed by Carlos Moya as “fake news“.
Moya, speaking on Radio Nacional de España, remarked, “This rumor is as exaggerated as a house.”
Earlier reports suggested Sinner was set to hire former No. 1 Moya, who has coached the legendary Rafa Nadal, as his new mentor starting next year, according to Russian news outlet Bolshe!
Sinner’s current coach, Darren Cahill, who has shaped the careers of champions like Andre Agassi and Simona Halep, announced earlier this year that 2025 would mark his last season with the reigning US Open and Australian Open winner. With Simone Vagnozzi, Sinner’s long-standing co-coach, unable to commit weekly, Sinner is considering new coaching options for 2026.
Moya joined Nadal’s team in 2016 when Toni Nadal was still the mastermind behind his success. Moya’s strategic influence has been pivotal in enhancing Nadal’s aggressive play style and serving techniques.
Carlos Moyá to coach Jannik Sinner!
As Bolshe! reported, the world No. 1 is expected to join forces with the Spanish coach in 2026.
Details: https://t.co/BgBYK0liOg
— Sofya Tartakova (@CentralCourt) May 20, 2025
Recently, Moya has expressed his contentment with life away from the grueling tennis circuit. The 1998 Roland Garros champion has indicated he’s received coaching inquiries but is waiting for the right emotional connection with a player before making any commitments.
If the Bolshe! report held any truth, Sinner and Moya working together would mean both young prodigies, Sinner and Rome champion Carlos Alcaraz, would have Grand Slam-winning former Spanish No. 1 coaches guiding them. Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz’s esteemed coach, was once Moya’s Davis Cup teammate.
This intriguing coaching scenario raises two questions: 1. If the story about Moya becoming Sinner’s coach is indeed false, what prompted Bolshe! to publish such a claim? 2. Should Moya choose to coach Sinner, why label it as fake news?
Former Indian Wells champion and ex-Roger Federer mentor Ivan Ljubicic, alongside former Jasmine Paolini coach Renzo Furlan, have also emerged as potential candidates for Sinner’s coaching team in 2026, per L’Equipe.
