Tennis Star Ghosted by Coach Mid-Tournament: 'He Blocked Me and My Wife and Flew to Miami'
Spanish tennis player Alejandro Davidovich Fokina was left stunned after his coach, Mariano Puerta, abruptly quit and flew to Miami without telling anyone during the French Open.
A Shocking Mid-Tournament Exit
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina's 2026 French Open campaign ended in confusion and defeat, but the most dramatic event occurred off the court. The Spanish world number 23 revealed that his coach, former Roland Garros finalist Mariano Puerta, abandoned him without warning after his first-round victory. The sudden departure left Davidovich Fokina without his primary coach for his second-round match, which he lost to Argentina's Thiago Agustin Tirante.
After the match against Dzumhur we had lunch and after that I went to cool down. He said he was feeling bad and was going to the hotel.
The Vanishing Act
According to Davidovich Fokina, the situation unfolded rapidly. Following a seemingly normal meal with Puerta after his five-set win over Damir Dzumhur, the coach complained of feeling unwell and returned to the hotel. A few hours later, Puerta sent a text message stating he would not continue. He then boarded a flight to Miami without informing any other member of the team.
He didn't say anything to anybody, to the team, he just took the flight and he flew to Miami without saying a word to us.
Communication Blackout
The break in the professional relationship was absolute. Davidovich Fokina stated that Puerta blocked his phone number and that of his wife, preventing any further contact. The player expressed disbelief at the manner of the departure, noting that there had been no argument or tension to precipitate it. He mentioned hearing that Puerta had done this to other players previously.
My wife even called him on the telephone, me too, so I don't know. He goes on with his life and I with mine. If he acts like this at 45-years-old, well, they're his decisions.
Impact on Performance
Davidovich Fokina, seeded 21st in the tournament, admitted the bizarre incident likely affected him during his second-round loss to Tirante. The defeat extends a poor run for the 26-year-old at Roland Garros, where he has failed to advance beyond the second round in his last three appearances. He was the highest-ranked Spanish player in the draw due to the injury-enforced absence of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Puerta's Controversial History
Mariano Puerta is a well-known figure in tennis, having reached the 2005 French Open final where he lost to Rafael Nadal. His career has been marked by controversy, including a doping suspension after that final. This latest incident adds another chapter to his tumultuous story, leaving Davidovich Fokina to continue his season with his other coach, Pepo Clavet.
- Davidovich Fokina wins first-round match against Damir Dzumhur in five sets.
- Post-match lunch with coach Mariano Puerta. Puerta says he feels unwell and returns to the hotel.
- Puerta sends a text message to Davidovich Fokina stating he will not continue as his coach.
- Puerta flies from Paris to Miami without informing the rest of the team.
- Davidovich Fokina loses in the second round to Thiago Agustin Tirante and reveals the incident in a press conference.
