Italian tennis star Lorenzo Musetti has apologised to Chinese fans after an on-court outburst during his China Open match sparked widespread criticism and accusations of racism.
The 23-year-old, ranked world No. 9, admitted that his choice of words was “wrong and inappropriate” and expressed regret for hurting the sentiments of Chinese spectators.
Incident During China Open Match
The controversy began during Musetti’s quarterfinal clash against France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Friday. In the tense second-set tiebreaker, Musetti was reportedly irritated by repeated coughing from the stands.
According to New York Post reports, Musetti lashed out, saying:
“They are always coughing, these f***ing Chinese… They cough every three seconds.”
Despite the outburst, Musetti went on to win the match. However, the comment quickly went viral, triggering a social media backlash and calls for an apology.
Musetti’s Apology to Chinese Fans
On Saturday, Musetti took to Instagram to issue a formal apology, clarifying that his frustration was directed at a few individuals in the crowd and not at Chinese people as a whole.
“My words were directed only at a few individuals in the crowd who were coughing repeatedly and disturbing the play,” Musetti wrote. “They were never, in any way, meant for the Chinese people. It happened in a moment of stress and tension in the second tiebreak, but still, this is no excuse at all. I realize that the way I expressed myself was wrong and inappropriate, and it hurt many Chinese fans’ feelings. I deeply regret it and feel very remorseful.”
The 23-year-old added that he has “always admired the Chinese people” and cherishes the warm welcome he receives when competing in the country since 2018.
Second Apology by a Player This Month
Musetti’s apology comes weeks after American player Taylor Townsend faced backlash for remarks about Chinese food while in the country for the Billie Jean King Cup. Townsend later deleted the video and apologised, stating that her earlier comments did not reflect her positive experiences in China.
Broader Impact on Sports and Cultural Sensitivity
The incident highlights the growing scrutiny over athletes’ behaviour and speech in global tournaments, particularly in culturally sensitive contexts. Many fans on Chinese social media accepted Musetti’s apology, but some commentators emphasised the need for players to be more mindful of their words while competing on international stages.
