Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s Coach Leaves Unexpectedly Amid Controversy

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s experience at the French Open took an unexpected turn after his coach, Mariano Puerta, suddenly left Paris. Following a five-set victory in the first round, the Spanish player had relaxed with Puerta, a former French Open finalist, before Puerta mentioned feeling unwell and headed back to his hotel.

Davidovich Fokina shared that a few hours later, Puerta informed him via message that he would not continue. By that time, Davidovich Fokina had already faced a second-round defeat to Thiago Agustín Tirante with scores of 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-3.

The Spaniard, ranked 23rd, explained that Puerta did not communicate his departure to the rest of the coaching staff before flying to Miami. Davidovich Fokina noted that this behavior wasn’t entirely new, as he had heard of similar incidents with other players.

Puerta’s reputation in tennis has been marked by controversy. During his playing career, the Argentine received bans for doping twice. In 2005, shortly after reaching the French Open final, Puerta tested positive for etilefrine, a prohibited cardiorespiratory stimulant, resulting in an eight-year suspension. Puerta confessed in 2020 to having misled the Court of Arbitration for Sport to shorten his suspension to two years, as reported by La Nacion newspaper.

His defense argued that the positive test stemmed from drinking water contaminated with effortil, a drug containing etilefrine, used by his then-wife. Later, Puerta claimed the substance originated from ginseng and caffeine pills provided by a friend of his fitness coach.

Previously, in 2003, Puerta also tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid, and he retired from professional tennis in 2009.

Reflecting on the situation, Davidovich Fokina expressed regret, saying, “I thought he was a very good person. It was my fault to hire him.” Thus far, Puerta has not publicly responded to Davidovich Fokina’s remarks.