Chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani has been suspended for two tournaments by the ATP Tour stemming from his “coaching” incident with Nick Kyrgios at the U.S. Open. Lahyani will miss upcoming scheduled appearances in Beijing and Shanghai.
The Swede got involved in a second-round match between Kyrgios and Pierre-Hugues Herbert, during which Kyrgios was giving far less than his best effort while trailing by a set and a break.
“I want to help you,” Mohamed, who climbed down from his chair at the changeover and got face to face with the player, could be heard telling the Aussie. “I want to help you. I’ve seen your matches: you’re great for tennis. Nick, I know this is not you.”
Kyrgios won the second set after a pep talk from the chair umpire Mo Lahyani.
A USTA rep told me it is already looking into Lahyani's conduct in this match.
Absurd scenes. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/6qTMaoqPQd
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 30, 2018
Kyrgios ended up winning the match in four sets.
“Despite the incident taking place at the U.S. Open, under the jurisdiction of the United States Tennis Association, the incident was still subject to ATP disciplinary action due to Lahyani’s position as full-time ATP employee and the high standards the ATP requires of its chair umpires regardless of the event to which he or she is assigned, in order to maintain the integrity of the Tour,” the ATP Tour stated.
The U.S. Open had come out with this statement shortly following the incident: “After a comprehensive review conducted by US Open officials, including US Open Tournament Director David Brewer, Tournament Referee Brian Earley and others, the US Open determined that chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani’s conduct during Thursday’s second-round match involving Nick Kyrgios and Pierre-Hugues Herbert went beyond protocol. Lahyani was advised to adhere to proper protocols in all matches that he officiates moving forward.”
Clearly the ATP had a different opinion. As such, after serving his suspension Lahyani is expected to return at the Stockholm Open in mid-October.
thoughts?
Works for me. Lahyani gets an unpaid vacation. He was supposed to warn NK that he was about to be penalized for not giving his best effort. I’m sure ML just wanted to provide a better match for the paying customers but he went overboard. I would have been fine with a lesser penalty too, as long as there was something.
Wouldn’t have suspended him if not for Ramosgate.
Trying to save face.
Probably the Solomonesque punishment that fits the intention of the “crime” and the crime itself….a deserved yellow card.
surprised here that uncle phony was never prosecuted by ATP for all shenanigans he taught his nephew.
LOL, shows how little you know about tennis.
Pederer isn’t related to Luthi.