French Open Shocker: Davidovich Fokina's Coach Abandons Mid-Tournament
The drama at Roland Garros isn't just on the court; off it, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has revealed a truly unprecedented coaching betrayal that left him reeling mid-tournament.
Key Revelations
- Coach Mariano Puerta abruptly left Davidovich Fokina's team on the day of his first-round win at the French Open.
- Puerta allegedly sent a text message ending their partnership, then flew home to Miami without informing the rest of the team.
- Davidovich Fokina denies any arguments, stating their relationship was 'very good' before the sudden departure.
- The former coach reportedly blocked both Davidovich Fokina and his wife on social media.
Mid-Tournament Mayhem: Coach Walks Out on Davidovich Fokina
The tennis world has been rocked by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina's bombshell revelation: his coach, Mariano Puerta, abandoned him abruptly on the very day of his first-round victory at the French Open. What began as a routine win against Damir Dzumhur quickly spiraled into a personal crisis for the Spanish star.
Whispers of a bust-up between the world No. 23 and his coach circulated, with French commentators suggesting a firing. However, Davidovich Fokina has now set the record straight, painting a picture of a shocking, uncommunicated exit that left him and his team in the dark.
Davidovich Fokina's Stunned Revelation
“After the match against Dzumhur, we had lunch and then I went to do some recovery,” Davidovich Fokina recounted to Punto de Break. “He said he wasn't feeling well and was going back to the hotel. Up to that point, everything was normal. Nothing happened between the team and us.”
Hours later, the partnership was over via text. “He sent me a message saying he wasn't going to continue and all that,” the player explained. “And the thing is, he didn't tell anyone, not even the team. He just got on a flight and went to Miami without saying a word to us.” This unexpected departure has cast a long shadow over his Roland Garros campaign.
A Personal Blow: Blocking and Performance Impact
The sting of the departure was compounded by Puerta's subsequent actions. Davidovich Fokina revealed that his former coach not only cut ties professionally but also personally, blocking both him and his wife on their phones and social media platforms like Instagram. “We had a very good relationship. Nothing ever happened, not a single tense moment, nothing at all,” he emphasized, rubbishing claims of an argument.
This emotional turmoil undoubtedly impacted his performance. The 21st seed admitted the sudden split affected him during his second-round clash against Thiago Agustin Tirante, where he suffered a 4-6 7-6(4) 6-1 6-3 defeat. “I'm not made of stone,” he stated, acknowledging the subconscious toll of such a personal blow.
A Pattern of Abrupt Departures?
Perhaps most concerning is the suggestion that this isn't an isolated incident for Mariano Puerta. Davidovich Fokina indicated he’d heard that Puerta has a history of similar abrupt exits with other players. “Then I heard he'd done it a couple of times before with other players, so it seems like it's normal for him,” he commented, highlighting a potential pattern of behavior.
For Davidovich Fokina, while he holds no ill will, the professional and personal disrespect stings. “He's an adult and can make his own decisions,” the player concluded, leaving fans wondering about the true motivations behind such an extraordinary mid-tournament exit.
