Another controversy for Kyrgios: Ump’s pep talk

NEW YORK — Controversy seems to follow Nick Kyrgios around the world, and this US Open is no exception.

The wildly talented but often immature Kyrgios initially appeared dispassionately disinterested Thursday in his second-round match against PierreHugues Herbert of France.

Kyrgios was undeniably not giving his best effort — he said as much — and was trailing Herbert 6-4, 3-0 when a questionable event took place. It was at this point in the match that chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani stepped in — or actually stepped down off his umpire’s chair — to have a conversation with Kyrgios.

“I think Nick was not playing,” said Herbert, who lost the match 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3, 6-0. “Had the feeling he was not giving 100 percent, not focused. For sure, from that point (Lahyani talked to him) something changed. He got better and better until the end.

“You never know what would have happened if Mohamed didn’t go down off the chair and started talking to him,” Herbert added.

Lahyani seemingly offered the 23year-old Australian, known for occasionally checking out of matches, a motivational speech to try harder. Though it was not clear all of what Lahyani said, he could be heard telling Kyrgios, “Let me help you.”

“I’m not sure it was encouragement,” Kyrgios said. “He said he liked me. I’m not sure if that was encouragement. He just said (how I’m playing) is not a good look. I wasn’t really listening to him, but I knew it wasn’t a good look.”

Kyrgios added about the chat with Lahyani, “It didn’t help me at all.”

The US Open released a statement from tournament referee Brian Earley indicating Lahyani came off the chair because of “the noise level in the stadium during the changeover to make sure he could communicate effectively with Kyrgios.”