Los Angeles:The US Open umpire criticised for giving Australia’s Nick Kyrgios a pep talk has been hit with a two-week suspension, reports said here Tuesday.
Swedish official Mohamed Lahyani triggered controversy last month after coming down from his chair to give advice to Kyrgios during his second round game against Pierre-Hugues Herbert at the Flushing Meadows. The US Open officials later said Lahyani ‘went beyond protocol’ with his conduct.
“I want to help you,” Lahyani could be heard telling Kyrgios, who was a set and 0-3 down at the time. “This isn’t you. I know that. I have seen your matches. You are great for tennis.”
Kyrgios subsequently captured 19 of the next 25 games, claiming a 4-6, 7-6(8/6), 6-3, 6-0 win.
Reports citing the ATP, Tuesday informed Lahyani, 52, had been suspended for two weeks over the incident.
“Lahyani’s actions in the match were deemed to have compromised the impartiality that is required of an official,” the ATP was quoted as saying.
Lahyani’s suspension means he missed the China Open in Beijing and the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
Kyrgios last month insisted that Lahyani’s intervention had not influenced his performance. However players, coaches and fans accused Lahyani of overstepping the mark.
“It’s not the umpire’s role to go down from the chair. But I get what he was trying to do. He behaves the way he behaves,” 20-time Major winner Roger Federer had then said.
“You as an umpire take a decision on the chair, do you like it or don’t you like it. But you don’t go and speak like that, in my opinion,” he had added.
Agence France-Presse
