Davidovich Fokina: Coach Puerta Quit—Without Telling Me

By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Photo credit: Matthew Calvis

Grand Slam tennis is all about adjustments.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina faced a major one when he says his coach, Mariano Puerta, vanished before today’s Roland Garros second-round match quitting without a word face-to-face.

The 21st-seeded Spaniard lost his coach then lost his second rounder to Thiago Agustin Tirante 4-6, 7-6, 6-1, 6-3 today.

Former French Open finalist Puerta was coaching Davidovich Fokina during his epic five-set, four hour, five-minute triumph over Damir Dzumhur on Sunday.

After that win coach and player shared lunch together before Puerta pulled the rip cord, texted Davidovich Fokina was quitting as coach and flew to Miami, according to the Spanish baseliner.

“After the game against Dzumhur we had lunch and then I went to calm down a bit. He said he felt bad and was going to the hotel,” Davidovich Fokina told Spanish media in comments published by AS.com. “Everything seemed normal, you know, I was tired. Nothing happened between us or within the team. Two or three hours later he sent me a message telling me that he would not continue.

“The problem is that he didn’t say anything to anyone on the team. He just took a flight and went to Miami without saying a word to us.” 

The 26-year-old Spaniard said he later learned this isn’t the first time Coach Puerta has bailed suddenly on a player. Puerta’s extreme exit strategy, “failed the whole team,” Davidovich Fokina said.

“Then I heard that he had already done it other times with other players, so it seems normal for him,” Davidovich Fokina said. “I’m not going to go after anyone if he decides to leave and not continue until the end of the tournament. It’s not my problem.

“He is an adult and can make his own decisions. I don’t know if I’m going to respond to that message, but as a person he failed the whole team. There is not much more to say.” 

Devoted French Open fans will recall the left-handed Puerta’s Cinderella run to the 2005 Roland Garros final where he fell to a 19-year-old Rafa Nadal, who captured his maiden Roland Garros crown en route to constructing his King of Clay career.

In December of 2005, Puerta was hit with an eight-year ban from tennis for a doping violation. He appealed and won a reduced suspension of two years.

Davidovich Fokina say does not wish Puerta ill will despite the fact he claims his former coach left him without notice then blocked both the Spaniard and his wife from calling him.

“No, we didn’t fight. Everything was normal,” Davidovich Fokina told Spanish media. “During the game we also communicated very well. I don’t know what to say because it was strange. But hey, nothing can surprise me anymore.

“A lot has happened to me throughout my career. I thought he was a really good person and then I found out that he had done this before with other players. That’s when I understood that maybe the mistake was mine for hiring him.

“We had a very good relationship. There were never any tensions or problems. He has even blocked the phone for both me and my wife. But I don’t want to give it more importance either. He makes his life and I make mine. I don’t wish him anything bad. He was a good person until this happened. If he works with another player, after this press conference they will know that maybe he can leave in difficult moments.”

The 2021 Roland Garros quarterfinalist Davidovich Fokina has failed to survive the French Open second round in six of eight career appearances in Paris.

Now, the world No. 23 will continue his quest for a maiden Tour-level title without Puerta in his box.