Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has taken up a broadcasting role in another sport after leaving TNT Sports at the end of last season.
Rio Ferdinand interviews Jannik Sinner at the Qatar Open (Image: Karim Jaafar/AFP)
Rio Ferdinand appears to be taking on a new broadcasting role in tennis after leaving TNT Sports, with the former Manchester United defender seen giving an interview to Tennis TV’s Jannik Sinner at this week’s Qatar Open.
Ferdinand, 47, announced last year that he was leaving his role at TNT Sports after 10 years at the broadcaster covering both Premier League and Champions League football. He has since started a new life in Dubai with his family and continues to cover soccer on his YouTube channel Rio Ferdinand Presents.
In a recent interview, Ferdinand expressed his interest in exploring things other than football. So his appearance at the Qatar Open could be a sign of things to come.
After the world number two’s 6-1, 6-4 comprehensive victory over Tomas Machak in Doha, Ferdinand interviewed Sinner and the former Premier League champion asked the Italian how he had coped with rising temperatures in the Middle East.
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It remains to be seen whether Ferdinand’s contract with Tennis TV will be long-term, but it is certainly tied to his desire to experience something new after a long stint at TNT Sports.
The former England defender revealed his decision to resign in an interview with Men’s Health earlier this month, explaining that some of his ideas had been rejected by the broadcaster. “I like to be tested. I like pressure. I did well at TNT. I could have signed a new contract at TNT. It’s easy. But that’s not who I really am. It’s time to do something new,” he said.
Ferdinand currently lives in Dubai (Image: Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images)
“With all due respect, I’ve been trying to push (new) aspects of things within the TNT team and group, but they haven’t been as receptive as I would have liked.
“So that was another big reason why I was like, ‘Okay, if you’re not going to jump on two feet with me and hold my hand, I’ll move on. Let’s see what happens when I go on my own.’
Ferdinand spent 10 years at TNT Sports before stepping down at the end of last season (Image: Getty Images)
“Because I saw a new world where linear TV and live football were always there, but outside of the 90 minutes there was another world that intrigued me and I watched it like a fan.
“So I want to know what they’re eating, how they’re sleeping, how they’re recovering. I want to bring the public closer to that and I want to be at the forefront of that.
“But at the same time, this is who I am. I’m not trying to be anyone. I’m me. I’m doing my own thing. I’ve always followed my own path.”
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