Rio Ferdinand's surprise new job revealed after awkward TNT Sports disagreement

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Rio Ferdinand seemingly has a new broadcasting role in tennis after leaving TNT Sports, with the former Manchester United defender seen interviewing Jannik Sinner for Tennis TV at the Qatar Open this week.

Ferdinand, 47, announced last year that he was leaving his role with TNT Sports after spending a decade working for the broadcaster, covering both the Premier League and Champions League football. He has since started a new life in Dubai with his family while continuing to cover football on his YouTube channel, ' Rio Ferdinand Presents'.

In a recent interview, Ferdinand expressed an interest in exploring things beyond football - which means his appearance at the Qatar Open could be a sign of things to come.

Ferdinand spoke to Sinner after the World No 2's comprehensive 6-1 6-4 victory over Tomas Machac in Doha, with the former Premier League title winner asking the Italian how he coped with the soaring temperatures in the Middle East.

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While it remains to be seen if Ferdinand's arrangement with Tennis TV is long-term, it does tie in with his desire to experience something new after his long stint with TNT Sports.

Speaking to Men’s Health earlier this month, the former England defender lifted the lid on his decision to stand down, explaining that some of his ideas were dismissed by the broadcaster. He said: “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.

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“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’.

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“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.

“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.”

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.