Veteran tennis umpire Mohamed Lahyani has been suspended for two weeks by the ATP over his controversial discussion with Nick Kyrgios at the US Open.
The Swedish official was accused of giving the Australian No.1 a pep talk during the second round of the New York major. Kyrgios was taking on France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert and trailed the match by a set and 3-0. During one of the change of ends, Lahyani went to speak with Kyrgios, giving him words of encouragement. Shortly after the talk, he went on to win the match in four sets.
“I want to help you. I want to help you,” Lahyani was heard saying on camera.
“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) 30 August 2018
At the time the Swede was accused of breaking officiating rules which states that umpires must remain impartial at all times. Both Lahyani and Kyrgios denied any wrongdoing. The USTA, who oversees the running of the US Open, decided not to take action against the umpire. Although they said in a statement that Lahyani ‘went beyond protocol.’
The ATP has taken a stricter view regarding the incident, which occurred three weeks ago. On Tuesday the governing body of men’s tennis confirmed that Lahyani has been given a two-week ban without pay. Meaning that he will miss both the China Open and Shanghai Masters.
“Mohamed is a world-class and highly-respected official. However, his actions during the match crossed a line that compromised his own impartiality as a chair umpire,” Gayle David Bradshaw, the ATP’s Executive Vice President of Rules & Competition, said in a statement.
“Although well-intended, his actions were regrettable and cannot go without disciplinary action on our own Tour. We know that he will learn from this experience and we look forward to welcoming him back in October.”
In a statement sent to The New York Times, the ATP said their decision to take disciplinary action was because Lahyani is a full-time employee that had to abide by the ‘hide standards’ of the organisation. The ATP does not have any jurisdiction in relation to the US Open.
Lahyani is expected to return to the tour at the Swedish Open next month. The tournament will get underway on October 15th.
