{"id":771588,"date":"2026-02-18T02:00:34","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T02:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/771588\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T02:00:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T02:00:34","slug":"rio-ferdinands-surprise-new-role-revealed-days-after-wifes-emotional-confession","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/771588\/","title":{"rendered":"Rio Ferdinand’s surprise new role revealed days after wife’s emotional confession"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rio Ferdinand was spotted in a new role interviewing tennis world No.2 Jannik Sinner at the Qatar Open after leaving TNT Sports, with the Manchester United icon exploring opportunities beyond footballDaniel Marsh<\/strong> Senior Sports Reporter and Bruna Reis<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

21:00, 17 Feb 2026<\/p>\n

\"Rio<\/p>\n

Rio Ferdinand interviewed Jannik Sinner at the Qatar Open<\/p>\n

Rio Ferdinand appears to have secured a fresh broadcasting position in tennis<\/a> following his departure from TNT Sports, with the ex-Manchester United<\/a> defender spotted conducting an interview with Jannik Sinner for Tennis TV at the Qatar Open this week.<\/p>\n

Ferdinand<\/a>, 47, revealed last year that he was stepping down from his position with TNT Sports after a decade-long spell with the broadcaster, where he provided coverage of both Premier League<\/a> and Champions League<\/a> football<\/a>. He has subsequently relocated to Dubai with his family whilst maintaining his football analysis through his YouTube platform, ‘Rio Ferdinand<\/a> Presents’.<\/p>\n

During a recent discussion, Ferdinand indicated his desire to pursue opportunities outside of football – suggesting his presence at the Qatar Open might signal future ventures.<\/p>\n

Ferdinand chatted to Sinner following the World No 2’s dominant 6-1 6-4 triumph over Tomas Machac in Doha, with the former Premier League champion enquiring how the Italian managed the sweltering conditions in the Middle East.<\/p>\n

Whilst it’s unclear whether Ferdinand’s partnership with Tennis TV represents a permanent arrangement, it aligns with his ambition to pursue fresh challenges after his extensive tenure with TNT Sports.<\/p>\n

\"Rio<\/p>\n

Rio Ferdinand spent 10 years working for TNT Sports<\/p>\n

In a recent interview with Men’s Health, the ex-England defender opened up about his decision to step down, revealing that some of his suggestions were overlooked by the broadcaster.<\/p>\n

He stated: “I like being tested. I like pressure. I had it fine at TNT. I could have signed a new contract at TNT. Easily. But that ain’t who I am really. It’s time for something new.<\/p>\n

“And with all due respect, I’d been trying to push [a new] side of things within the team and the group at TNT, and they weren’t really as receptive as I would’ve liked. So that was another big reason why I go, ‘Okay, if you’re not going to jump in two-footed with me and hold hands, then I move on. We’ll see how I do when I go on my own’.<\/p>\n

FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE!<\/strong> <\/strong>Latest news and analysis via the MEN\u2019s Manchester United Facebook page<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

“Because I saw the new world is that linear TV and live football are always going to be there, but there’s also another world outside the 90 minutes that intrigues me, which I look at like a fan.<\/p>\n

“So I want to know what the f*** these guys are eating, how do they sleep, how do they recover? I want to get the public closer to that and I want to be at the forefront of that. But at the same time, this is just who I am. I’m not trying to be no one, I’m me. I do my own s***. I’ve always been in my own lane.”<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, his wife, Kate, became emotional as she admitted she has \u201cstruggled\u201d with homesickness and with living apart from his two eldest sons, Lorenz and Tate, as well as her friends and family in London.<\/p>\n

\"Kate<\/p>\n

Kate and Rio Ferdinand in Dubai(Image: xkateferdinand\/instagram)<\/p>\n

Lorenz signed his first professional contract with Brighton & Hove Albion last summer, while Tate is part of the club\u2019s U21 squad. Speaking on her Blended podcast, she said: “I feel like we’ve opened our eyes to a different world. But I love London, I love the UK.<\/p>\n

“I love so many things about the UK. I do feel happy in Dubai, but I\u2019m just missing a part of me.”<\/p>\n

Ferdinand and Kate moved to Dubai with their five\u2011year\u2011old son, Cree, their two\u2011year\u2011old daughter, Shae, and the former defender\u2019s 14\u2011year\u2011old daughter, Tia, from his first marriage to Ellison. His two eldest sons, Lorenz, 19, and Tate, 17, chose to remain in the UK.<\/p>\n

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