As the 2025 French Open kicks off at Roland Garros, former world No. 1 Carlos Moya has firmly denied rumors that he will coach world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in 2026, calling the speculation “fake news” in a May 21, 2025, interview with Radio Nacional de España (RNE). The statement comes in response to a viral claim, originating from a May 20, 2025, post on X by @TennisCentel, which quoted Moya as saying he was brought in to address a “Carlos problem” for Sinner. Moya’s swift rebuttal, echoed across multiple X posts, clarifies that no such agreement exists, putting the focus back on his current role as Rafael Nadal’s coach during Nadal’s likely final French Open campaign.
Debunking the Rumor
The rumor, which gained traction online, suggested Moya would replace Darren Cahill and Simone Vagnozzi as Sinner’s coach, with a fabricated quote implying Sinner needed to overcome issues related to Carlos Alcaraz. Posts on X, including one from @jmgmoron citing RNE, quoted Moya saying, “Es un Fake como la copa de un pino” (It’s fake as a pine tree), emphasizing the lack of credible evidence. Other users, like @Jojokhalid12 and @ivabianconero, noted Moya’s denial to Tennis Italiano and RNE, confirming no communication occurred between Moya and Sinner about coaching.
Focus on Roland Garros
Moya, who has coached Nadal since 2016, helping him secure multiple Grand Slam titles, including five French Opens, remains focused on supporting the 14-time Roland Garros champion. Nadal, seeded No. 14 in 2025, faces a tough first-round match against Alexander Zverev, a rematch of their 2022 semifinal. Sinner, meanwhile, is the No. 1 seed, facing Christopher Eubanks in the first round, with Cahill and Vagnozzi still guiding him after his 2024 Australian Open and US Open triumphs.
Parallels to Off-Court Buzz
The timing of the rumor, just days before the French Open, mirrors the off-court buzz surrounding other players, like Emma Raducanu’s revamped clay preparation and Luke Littler’s personal life headlines. Moya’s decisive response ensures clarity as he and Nadal aim for a strong showing, while Sinner, fresh off a 2024 season with 70 wins, looks to claim his first Roland Garros title. The episode underscores the rapid spread of misinformation on platforms like X, with Moya’s denial redirecting attention to the tennis action unfolding in Paris.
