In a controversial moment at the US Open the umpire has gone from his chair to give Australia’s Nick Kyrgios a pep talk to plead with him to play better for the fans.
Swedish official Mohamed Lahyani is under fire for his intervention. Kyrgios was down 4-6, 3-0 at the time when Lahyani left his chair to talk to Kyrgios. The Australian went on to win the match 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-0 against Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
“I want to help you. I want to help you,” Lahyani said.
“I’ve seen your matches: you’re great for tennis.”
After managing to get through this match Kyrgios has now set up a third-round blockbuster against Roger Federer. That should be a match that he can get up for.
Asked after the match what the umpire was saying to him when he trailed by a set and a break, Kyrgios said: “He was just concerned about how I was playing, like, ‘Nick are you okay?'”
