Unexpected Departure: Davidovich Fokina’s Coach Leaves French Open

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina had to face an unforeseen challenge during the French Open. After securing a first-round victory in a grueling five-set match, his coach, Mariano Puerta, unexpectedly left Paris.

The duo shared a lunch before Davidovich Fokina’s rest in preparation for his next match. Puerta, a former finalist at Roland Garros, told Davidovich Fokina he was feeling unwell and returned to his hotel. “Two or three hours later in the afternoon, he messaged me that he will not continue,” Davidovich Fokina revealed after losing to Thiago Agustín Tirante 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-3 in the second round.

The 23rd-ranked Spaniard disclosed that Puerta did not inform the rest of the coaching staff of his departure to Miami. Davidovich Fokina expressed, “I heard that he did that a couple of times before with other players. It seems normal for him.”

Puerta carries a history of controversy within tennis circles. As a player, he received two doping suspensions. Four months post his 2005 French Open final, he tested positive for etilefrine, a banned substance, resulting in an eight-year suspension. He later admitted to lying to reduce the ban to two years, as he revealed in an interview with La Nacion.

He maintained in his defense that the banned substance was from drinking water from a glass that his wife had used for medication that included etilefrine.

However, fifteen years later, Puerta claimed the etilefrine was from ginseng and caffeine pills prepared by a friend of his fitness coach. Puerta, who also tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid in 2003, retired in 2009.

Davidovich Fokina reflected on hiring Puerta, “I thought he was a very good person. It was my fault to hire him.” Puerta has not responded to Davidovich Fokina’s statements.

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