Rafael Nadal’s Ex-Coach Carlos Moya Responds to Rumors That He Has Agreed to Coach Jannik Sinner from 2026

Darren Cahill is set to step down from his coaching role in Jannik Sinner's team at the end of the 2025 season, which has led to rumors about a new coach.

Rafael Nadal’s Ex-Coach Carlos Moya Responds to Rumors That He Has Agreed to Coach Jannik Sinner from 2026

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Moya (via X/ATP/Tennis Central)

Rafael Nadal’s ex-coach, Carlos Moya, has reacted to the rumors claiming that he has signed up to take the position of Jannik Sinner’s coach in 2026. The Spaniard revealed during an interview that the reports were false. This comes just after reports about who will likely replace Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill after his departure by the end of this year, went rife.

Sinner is looking for a new coach to work with alongside Simone Vagnozzi. The legendary coach has been successful in taking Sinner’s game to a whole new level since joining the Italian star’s team in July 2022. Sinner won the 2024 and 2025 Australian Open and the 2024 US Open, since then.

Last year, he won eight titles, including the ATP Finals and three Masters 1000 titles. He also became the World No.1 for the first time in his career at the 2024 French Open. Many have considered Moya as the best replacement for Cahill, as the Spaniard has enjoyed incredible success working with Nadal on the ATP Tour.

That led to Russia’s outlet Bolshe! announcing that they had a major scoop of the week as journalist Sofya Tartakova revealed on X that Moya will be the new coach of Sinner from 2026. The news received thousands of reactions, and other tennis influencers posted about the same.

Carlos Moyá to coach Jannik Sinner! As Bolshe! has learned, the world No.1 will start working with the Spanish coach in 2026.

But there will be no partnership between Moya and Sinner for now, as the former French Open winner set the record straight during an interview on Radio Nacional de España:

Me as his coach? Fake news as big as a house.

Moya retired from tennis at the end of the 2010 season and joined Nadal’s team seven years later. He was with the tennis legend until he retired from playing professionally at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga last year. They won an amazing 21 titles together, including eight Grand Slams and eight ATP Masters 1000 titles.

Carlos Moya says he’s not in a rush to become a coach after lengthy spell with Rafael Nadal

There are several reports that the reason for Carlos Moya’s link to Jannik Sinner is because of Carlos Alcaraz’s recent dominance against the Italian. The World No.1 understands that Alcaraz is his only major rival on the court, and if he does find a way to beat him, he will cement his place at the top of the men’s circuit for quite a while.

Carlos Moya
Carlos Moya (via X/The Tennis Letter)

This comes just after Alcaraz defeated the Italian in straight sets at the Rome Masters final. It was the fourth consecutive time that the Spaniard had beaten the 23-year-old on tour. Moya responded that he may decide to join Sinner’s team, but is not in a hurry to take up another coaching role after a lengthy spell on tour with Rafael Nadal.

Maybe in a few months or a few years, I’ll change my mind, but right now, I’m enjoying this moment. After so much time travelling and competing, a detox period was a good idea. I’m not bored at all.

Sinner will continue to be on the lookout for Darren Cahill’s replacement as the season continues. The Italian returned to the tour after his three-month suspension and was impressive at the Italian Open, where he reached the final. He defeated the likes of Casper Ruud, Francisco Cerundolo, and Tommy Paul, en route to the final.

He will now focus on the Roland Garros, where he has never reached the final. His best run at the tournament was reaching the semi-finals last year before losing to Alcaraz in a five-set thriller. He will hope to do better at this year’s edition, which begins next week.

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