"I don’t need the ref adding some mayo to it": Shapovalov and Kokkinakis hilariously call out umpire for antics
ATP
The Ultimate Tennis Showdown often provides content that sees players come out of their shell including in the case of Thanasi Kokkinakis and Denis Shapovalov who hilariously called out an umpire for making it about himself.
Mohamed Lahyani often takes a theatrical approach to calling out the score during matches and players have noticed that he will emphasise certain points. Kokkinakis joked that he adds too much sauce to it notably mayo and that they sense when he does it that they are screwed in the match.
But while both have had run-ins with umpires in the past including hitting one in the eye in Shapovalov's case and also Kokkinakis erupting at an umpire when she didn't let him take a toilet break, it was Lahyani they singled out. Amid all the recent chatter about umpires and hawkeye, it was in fact the theatrical approach to the sport that caught their eye.
Lahyani is well known for shouting any corrections and changing his tone when it is needed and this led to both with Dominic Thiem also there being in stitches.
“Speaking of refs, does anyone notice - I like him, I think he’s a good dude - but Mohamed tries to add so much sauce on it,” Kokkinakis said. “So much. I like Mohamed,” Shapovalov replied.
“I like him too, ripper guy. Have you noticed, if you’re playing, say you’re down 0-30, you go down 0-40, he will will say the score as if you’re f*****, you’re about to get broken.”
“Dude, he’s staring at you, he’s like, love-40. Like you’re done," said the Aussie ace.
“He’s like, ‘Thanasi, you got to be better.’ And then he’s like, 0-40. As if he knows the end is near.
“I’m already tight enough, I don’t need the ref adding some f***ing mayo to it, letting me know I’m about to get broken.”
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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