Mariano Puerta left Alejandro Davidovich Fokina's coaching team abruptly during the French Open after a text message exchange. The split followed a heated exchange during the player's first-round match. Davidovich Fokina has since hired a new coach and lost in the second round.
Mariano Puerta had coached Alejandro Davidovich Fokina since January 2026. The departure occurred between the first and second rounds at Roland Garros. Puerta cited feeling unwell with tachycardia after the player reacted strongly to encouragement during a five-set first-round win over Damir Džumhur that lasted more than four hours.
