French Open: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s coach quits via text as Novak Djokovic survives stiff test
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina had his coach abandon him prior to his second-round loss at the French Open. (Getty Images: Tim Clayton)
In short:
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has revealed his coach quit on him via a text message after being eliminated at the French Open.
Davidovich Fokina had lunch with his coach, former French Open runner-up Mariano Puerta, before Puerta said he was feeling unwell.
Puerta then quit via text message and flew to Miami and did not inform the rest of the coaching staff.
After his five-set first-round win at the French Open, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina did not expect his coach to suddenly leave Paris.
The Spanish player had lunch with his mentor, former Roland-Garros runner-up Mariano Puerta, before resting ahead of his next match. Puerta told him 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 said after his second-round loss to Thiago Agustín Tirante 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-3 on Wednesday, local time.
The 23rd-ranked Spaniard said Puerta did not inform the rest of the coaching staff before flying to Miami.
Mariano Puerta (pictured) spectacularly quit as Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s coach via text during the French Open. (Getty Images: Matthew Stockman)
“I heard that he did that a couple of times before with other players,” Davidovich Fokina said during his post-match press conference. “It seems normal for him.”
Puerta has been a controversial figure in tennis. As a player, the Argentine served bans in two separate doping cases.
Four months after the high point of his career, the final of the 2005 French Open, Puerta tested positive for etilefrine, a banned cardio-respiratory stimulant and was then suspended for eight years. He admitted in 2020 that he had lied to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to reduce his suspension to two years, according to an interview published by La Nacion newspaper.
Puerta’s defence said he drank water from a glass used by his then-wife to take effortil, a medication against menstrual cramps that contains etilefrine. Fifteen years later, Puerta said the origin of the drug was actually ginseng and caffeine pills that a friend of his fitness coach prepared for him.
Puerta, who tested positive in 2003 for a banned anabolic steroid, retired as a player in 2009.
“I thought he was a very good person,” Davidovich Fokina said. “It was my fault to hire him.”
Puerta has not publicly commented on Davidovich Fokina’s comments.
Djokovic overcomes stiff test from local favourite
Three-times champion Djokovic then overcame stiff resistance from local favourite Valentin Royer to seal a 6-3 6-2 6-7 (7) 6-3 victory, as the Serb stayed on track for a standalone 25th Grand Slam title at the age of 39.
“I think Valentin deserves a big round of applause for his performance today. I hope I won’t play any more French players for the rest of the tournament,” said Djokovic, who opened his campaign against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
While that clash against Frenchman Perricard was played in the cool of the evening, Djokovic was made to sweat as Paris continued to reel under the heatwave that has tested players.
“The feelings on the court are different when you win,” added Djokovic.
AP/Reuters
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