US Open 2018 | Umpire Mohamed Lahyani was wrong to get out of chair and talk to Nick Kyrgios, says Roger Federer
Tennis star Roger Federer has stated that umpire Mohamed Lahyani was wrong to get out of the chair and talk to Nick Kyrgios during the Australian’s 2nd round US Open match against Pierre-Hugues Herbert. The controversial pep-talk has sparked a row over the impartiality of officials in the sport.
Lahyani stunned fans when he climbed down from his chair in the second set of Kyrgios’s second round match against Herbert of France on Court 17 to seemingly berate the Australian for their lack of effort. However, Kyrgios turned things around post the pep-talk as beating Herbert 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, 6-0, setting up a third round clash against the five-time US Open champion Federer on Saturday. The television microphones were unable to pick up the full conversation, although Lahyani could be heard saying things that would motivate the Australian.
“I want to help you. This isn’t you. I know that. You are great for tennis,” Lahyani could be heard saying.
On the other hand, Federer was totally against Lahyani’s move and said the umpire should never go down from his chair for a conversation during the match. He added that it is not the umpire’s role to do such things. Federer was not concerned about the exact conversation but said such conversations can change the whole scenario of the game and it should not be allowed.
“It’s not the umpire’s role to go down from the chair. But I get what he was trying to do. 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. I don’t know what he said and I don’t care as well. It’s a conversation and such things can change your mindset,” Federer said.
Like Federer, Herbert insisted Lahyani had overstepped the mark and said he would meet the official over the issue as he posted a statement on Twitter.
My statement
— PH Herbert (@p2hugz)
However, Novak Djokovic said that he believed there was nothing wrong in what Lahyani did. The former world number one further said Lahyani is a very positive man and would never try to do anything against the sport.
“Mohamed is always positive and he tries to bring that energy to the court. Knowing Mohamed, I don’t think that he meant to do it for any other reason but to really help Nick,” Djokovic said.
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