USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier says a « comprehensive review » determined that chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani’s midmatch chat with the player went « beyond our protocol, » but he would not be sanctioned because of his « exemplary track record. »
NEW YORK — The chair umpire who climbed out of his seat to talk with Nick Kyrgios during a second-round match will continue to officiate during the US Open.
A « comprehensive review conducted by a number of tournament officials » determined that chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani’s midmatch chat with Kyrgios went « beyond our protocol, » U. S. Tennis Association spokesman Chris Widmaier told The Associated Press on Friday.
But Widmaier said that Lahyani would not be sanctioned because of his « exemplary track record as an international tennis official. »
« He now has a better understanding of what our protocols are and was informed that he needs to stick to those protocols for the rest of the tournament, » Widmaier said. « Each of his matches will be monitored. »
The US Open said in a statement that Mohamed Lahyani left his chair to speak with Nick Kyrgios due to the noise level in the stadium and concerns about his health.
On Thursday, Kyrgios, a 23-year-old Australian, did not appear to be putting forth much effort while dropping the first set and falling behind 3-0 in the second against Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France. During a changeover, Lahyani left his chair — a rare sight in Grand Slam tennis — to speak to Kyrgios, leaning with hands on knees while saying, « I want to help you. »
The 30th-seeded Kyrgios wound up beating Herbert 4-6,7-6 (6), 6-3,6-0 and will face Roger Federer in the third round Saturday.
Widmaier said tournament referee Brian Earley and chief umpire Soeren Frienel were among those who « met with Mohamed several times following yesterday’s match » as part of the review.
Lahyani was expected to be assigned to work a match on Friday’s schedule, according to Widmaier.
Herbert said Thursday that he thought Lahyani should be sanctioned in some way.
« This was not his job, » Herbert said. « I don’t think he’s a coach, he’s an umpire, and he should stay on his chair for that. »
During an occasionally confrontational and sarcastic exchange with reporters after the match, Kyrgios laughed at the suggestion that he had received coaching or a pep talk from Lahyani.
« I mean, like, I don’t have a coach. I haven’t had a coach for, like, years. Of course he wasn’t coaching me. Like, what are you talking about? » Kyrgios said.
« He said he liked me. I’m not sure if that was encouragement. He just said that it’s not a good look, » Kyrgios said. « Look. I wasn’t feeling good. I know what I was doing out there wasn’t good. I wasn’t really listening to him, but I knew it wasn’t a good look. »
Kyrgios has run into trouble in the past for not giving his all during matches, even drawing a fine and suspension from the ATP men’s tour in 2016.
As Herbert put it: « Just sometimes he’s mentally not here. »
