Mariano Puerta's Redemption: "I Became Very Estranged from Tennis"

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Tennis has been everything to Mariano Puerta (Argentina, 1978). All the good and all the bad, that's how intense his relationship with the sport that gave him everything has been. Unforgettable moments, like that Roland Garros final or the privilege of being in the top 10. But also cruel moments, like the doping suspension that led to his retirement or the criticism from a people who never tried to know his human side. The important thing is that the Argentine has managed to reconcile with tennis, that's why we celebrate his return to the tournaments.

In tracksuit and cap, with a low profile activated and excited about his new role on the circuit, Mariano Puerta enjoys his role as a coach, even more so if he is lucky to work daily with a diamond of the caliber of Alejandro Davidovich. They have only been together for five months, the results have not arrived yet, but living together indicates that good news will soon bloom. Punto de Break meets at the Mutua Madrid Open with the former World No. 9 to talk about the present, past, and future. Which is not little.

A win and a loss. What's your assessment of your time in Madrid?

We are very happy to have had the opportunity to play this tournament; we weren't so sure when we arrived, but Alex was evolving very well with his body. Physically, he is in good shape, although in terms of tennis, it is still too early to see his best version. This is normal when you've been inactive for a month.

You've been working together for five months. How do you feel?

Tremendous player, tremendous potential. Whatever you tell him on the court, he is able to do it, like a sponge. He pays a lot of attention, he listens, not everyone does that. He really tries to do what you're telling him, so we have understood each other quite well in a short time.

What about the results?

We are satisfied with how we played at the Australian Open and Indian Wells; that was a great tournament for us, confirming that we are getting along better. When you start with a player, everything is new; both sides have to adapt, but we are very happy.

And now Pepo joins the team.

Exactly, Pepo Clavet joins the team; he will start traveling after Roland Garros. He is already spending time with us, so I am very happy personally. I know I will learn a lot in this stage with him.

Davidovich had his best season in 2025 and then split with Mantilla. How did you come into the picture?

It was quite strange because I was with Brandon Nakashima; we had been together for two and a half years, but at the end of 2025, we decided not to continue. It also surprised me; I know Félix (Mantilla) very well and I know he is a great professional, a great person. It is not easy to travel all the time, especially with a family, so for one reason or another, they didn't continue. It just happened that he left, and I was available. We tried it out in Monaco for a few weeks and we clicked right away.

You encountered an established working methodology; how did you implement yours?

This is not easy. The first thing I did when I arrived in Monaco was ask Alex what things had worked with Félix. Why? To not change them. My job is to incorporate new things that I think can improve, but never discarding what worked before. Both did a tremendous job last year.

Last year, Mantilla stated in an interview that he had never worked with a player with so much potential.

The potential he has is impressive, the physical attributes he possesses... but tennis is a combination of three departments: tennis, physical, and mental. In tennis and physically, he is outstanding, while mentally, it's not bad, but it can be improved. If we manage to improve a bit there, it will have a great impact on his tennis and his career.

How can you help him in that aspect?

Here, the things that worked for me are significant. The first thing I try is to calm the player when those crucial moments in the match arise. To breathe, to calm down, to be able to see things clearly. Alex is often inconsistent; he can be playing an incredible match and suddenly lose two or three games. The goal is to improve that a little bit.

And it's noticeable.

He externalizes a lot, more than other players, but it's not so serious. He is trying to improve; I see him well now. Everyone can choose what they don't want to change, and today Alex is willing to change the things that are not going well. He is motivated, recently married, I see him very focused. He has his family and tennis; the whole team is in sync, so we are confident that he will have a great season again.

He is defending many points this season; extra pressure?

For me, points are not defended; I prefer to see it as a new race starting every year; last year's results are anecdotal. Tournaments, rankings... it doesn't matter; it's better not to think about all that, to relieve the pressure.

Do you enjoy being asked about your playing career?

I have been more in the coach role for a while now; sometimes I can't even remember that I played (laughs). I wake up, I am with Alex, I look for ways to help him improve, I analyze many videos when I'm not on the court... but yes, of course, I remember everything from before. Sometimes, some recognition is nice.

When you look back at what you did on the court, do you remember it with a smile?

Yes, [] I had a tumultuous career between injuries and suspensions, but I am aware that the work I have today is thanks to that. There were bitter moments, of course, but those things are behind me now. I am very happy with my coaching career; I have spent a lifetime on the circuit. I do believe that I could have achieved much more, but I had a tumultuous and short career, did a lot in a short time.

What else could you have done?

If I had more time? [] When I was young, I struggled to be consistent; now that I am older, I try to be more consistent with what I set out to do. At this moment, helping Alejandro, in his future.

You played 18 Grand Slams, and only once did you reach the second week: the final at Roland Garros in 2005.

There are not many players in tennis history who have reached a Grand Slam final. If you analyze it, my career lasted 6-7 years, not so long. I won three tournaments and made seven finals; I needed more time. Another thing I would change is my diet; at that time, I didn't pay much attention to nutrition, nor did I train so much physically. Today, everything has become more professional; that's why the tour is so nice, everything is more balanced. Tennis and tournaments have improved a lot; the ATP is doing things very well.

Did you ever feel very angry with tennis?

Yes, I was estranged from it for many years. In fact, if you had asked me 5-6 years ago, I would have said I would never be a coach. Suddenly, the opportunity to work with Nakashima arose, and it was two very good years, great work; we started from #151 and he reached #29. It was healing; I hadn't been to tournaments in a long time and hadn't been around this environment. Today, I feel very well prepared for this work with Alex. If this opportunity had arisen a few years ago, I don't think I would have done as well as I know I can now. I have evolved as a coach; all of that serves me now to face a new project with a guy who is in the top 15. Yes, there were bitter moments, but not enough to turn my back on tennis.

It is more important to make amends with tennis than to win any title.

Absolutely, I have been doing this since I was 5 years old; it is a life dedicated to this sport. I think it has been very good to change this situation, so we'll see. Hopefully, I will win a Grand Slam as a coach someday.

With an Argentine player?

Wow! That opportunity has not arisen yet; I haven't even thought about it. I have been living in the United States for 12 years; it's like I distanced myself a bit, but who knows. It's hard for me to think of something like that because today I am very happy with Alex; we have a great team of high human quality. We are all very motivated, the intention is to be together for a long time, but well, at 47 years old, I am still young (laughs).

What can we expect from Davidovich in 2026?

The best of Alex is getting closer every day, but not because of me, but because of him. He is finally open to changing each of the things he can improve or is not doing so well. Until a few weeks ago, perhaps he wasn't so open to everything. It is a big step forward for him, for his future.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La redención de Mariano Puerta: “Llegué a estar muy peleado con el tenis”