Is the US Open trying to cover up what really happened with a chair umpire in a 2nd Round match between Nick Kyrgios and Pierre-Hugues Herbert?
The Frenchman, who lost the match to the mercurial Kyrgios in four sets, released a strong statement about the incident that suggested the USTA “is clearly taking us for fools.”
The controversy unfolded like this: Kyrgios, who has displayed characteristically erratic behavior on court this US Open, fell behind to Herbert 6-4, 3-0 and appeared to sporatically not give effort to compete.
Sensing a meltdown, chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani left his chair to give Kyrgios a pep talk. Audio from the match replay picks up Lahyani saying to Kyrgios:
“I want to help you. I want to help you. I’ve seen your matches, you’re great for tennis. I can see that. I know this is not you.”
The Australian, seeded #30, then won the second set 7-6 and went on to win the match.
The incident immediately sparked charges of favoritism and unprecedented improper behavior by a tennis official.
In the post-match press conference, Herbert said he had no beef with Kyrgios, but that his opponent’s “motivation and behavior changed from the moment” Lahyani gave him the talk. Herbert questioned whether the incident changed the outcome of the match. “We will never know,” Herbert said.
But his real outrage was with the USTA’s statement regarding the event, which does not jibe with audio of what really happened.
In its statement, the USTA claimed “Lahyani was concerned Kyrgios might need medical attention.” The USTA made no mention of Lahyani’s offer to “help” the Australian star.
Ultimately, the USTA statement strikes Herbert–and anyone else who reads it–as disingenuous public-relations-speak from an organization in crisis-management mode.
My statement @usopen @ATPWorldTour @usta pic.twitter.com/5kia2HLbpV
— PH Herbert (@p2hugz) August 30, 2018
Though he accepts the loss, Herbert is asking for a better explanation.
Worth noting: This is the second time these players have met in a Grand Slam this year. Kyrgios got down two sets to love against Herbert at Wimbledon before he retired from the match.
The wildly unpredictable Kyrgios will next face #2 seed Roger Federer Saturday in one of the most anticipated matches of the US Open so far this year.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
