Thanasi Kokkinakis and Denis Shapovalov say what ATP umpire Mohamed Lahyani often does when they’re in trouble

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Thanasi Kokkinakis starred at the 2024 Davis Cup finals, as he took part in two blockbuster matches.

The Australian has had another strong year on the ATP Tour in 2024, maintaining his spot in the world’s top 100.

The highlight of Kokkinakis’ year came at the Davis Cup, where Australia reached the semi-finals of the competition.

Kokkinakis beat Ben Shelton in a record-breaking encounter in the quarter-finals, putting his side just one win away from the last four.

After Taylor Fritz beat Alex de Minaur, the Australian doubles team secured their place in the semi-finals.

Kokkinakis then lost to Matteo Berrettini in another thriller, falling in three-sets before Jannik Sinner secured Australia’s fate.

After such a strong performance, Kokkinakis spent time to joke around with his fellow ATP stars about what one umpire always seems to do when he’s losing.

Thanasi Kokkinakis and Denis Shapovalov on what ‘good dude’ Mohamed Lahyani often does

Speaking on a UTS Tour TikTok, Kokkinakis, and Denis Shapovalov joked about what umpire Mohamed Lahyani often does when they’re about to go a break down.

“Speaking of refs, has anyone noticed, I like him, I think he’s a good dude, but Mohamed Lahyani tries to add so much sauce on it,” he said.

“If you notice, if you’re playing, say you’re down 0-30, you go down 0-40, he’ll say the score as if you’re like, you’re about to get broken.

“Dude, he’s like staring, he’s like 0-40, like you’re done.”

Shapovalov jokingly chimed in with his experiences with the Swedish official.

“He’ll like be staring you down, start coaching you a little bit,” he said.

Kokkinakis was in agreement as he found the funny side of Lahyani’s officiating.

“He’s like Thanasi [Kokkinakis] you’ve got to be better, and then he’s like 0-40 as if he knows the end is near,” said the Australian.

“Bro, I’m already tight enough, I don’t need the ref adding some mayo to it, letting me know I’m about to get broken.”

Is Mohamed Lahyani the longest-serving umpire in tennis?

‘Gold badge’ tennis umpires, are those who officiate the most prestigious of ATP and WTA Tour events.

Having obtained his license in 1997, Lahyani is now the longest serving active umpire in tennis.

This comes after Carlos Bernardes retired upon the conclusion of the 2024 Davis Cup, having first officiated in 1990.

There had been calls for Carlos Bernardes to retire due to several mistakes that the Brazilian had made in recent times.

Lahyani is now the most experienced tennis umpire, but is there anyone close?

There are plenty of umpires who have now been around for a fair few years, but none as long as Lahyani.

Regardless of whether some of his antics wind up players at times, it can’t be denied that he is one of tennis’ greatest umpires.