US Open: Nick Kyrgios “coached” by referee Mohamed Lahyani?

Nick Kyrgios has so far delivered in his second round match against Pierre-Hugues Herbert a long time listless performance. The Australian’s actions were so frightening that even referee Mohamed Lahyani intervened – triggering a heated discussion on the social networks.

Can a referee motivate a player? That’s the question tennis fans ask themselves on Thursday night. Lahyani apparently tried to cheer Kyrgios up, as this scene shows:

It was these actions in particular that led the Swede to finally approach Kyrgios.

The alleged coaching was successful: While Kyrgios was back with set and break at this point, he fought his way into a tiebreak in the second half, which he finally won. The third set is currently in progress.

According to media reports, Lahyani is already under observation of the US association USTA, which will investigate the events.