Italian tennis player Lorenzo Musetti has found himself at the centre of controversy after making remarks about Chinese fans during his match at the ATP 500 tournament in Beijing. The 23-year-old, who has been enjoying a strong run on the Asian circuit following his final appearance in Chengdu, lashed out during his three-set victory over Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Musetti eventually came through 7-6 (3), 6-7 (4), 6-3, setting up a second-round clash with another French opponent, Adrian Mannarino, following a run to the Chengdu Open final where he lost to Alejandro Tabilo. However, the win was overshadowed by his on-court outburst.
The backlash-sparking remark
During moments of frustration, Musetti was caught on camera complaining about noise from the crowd. Irritated by persistent coughing from spectators while he was serving, the Italian snapped: "Those f***ing Chinese… They cough all the time!".
"They're always coughing those damn Chinese..
— ⁶³ Nene ⁷² || 🦊 (@bubblegum_win) September 26, 2025
they keep coughing, fuck..
they cough every three minutes!
..
*cough cough*"
*full translation of what Lorenzo Musetti said
pic.twitter.com/u8uyPS2TF7
While the clip gained traction globally, it was on Chinese platforms such as Weibo and Douyin where the controversy truly exploded. The reaction reflects how sensitive international sporting events can become when athletes' words appear to insult a host nation. In China, where tennis is rapidly growing in popularity and players like Li Na and Zheng Qinwen have elevated the sport’s profile, Musetti’s remarks struck a particularly raw nerve.
Players often complain about noise, movement, or even phone ringtones during tense rallies and service motions. Although, Musetti’s choice of words has highlighted how quickly such frustrations can cross into offensive territory.
Musetti's apology
Facing mounting criticism, Musetti issued a formal statement to apologise for his words:
"I would like to sincerely apologise for what I said in frustration yesterday during my match.
My words were directed only at a few individuals in the crowd who were coughing repeatedly and disturbing the play. 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 realise 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.
I have always admired the Chinese people, and I truly appreciate playing in your country. I have been coming back to China since 2018, and I always feel very welcome here. I am grateful for the incredible support I constantly receive and for the many fans I have in China.
Once again, I am truly sorry. I respect you deeply, I feel at home here, and I value the warmth and kindness I have always received from you.
With respect and gratitude, Lorenzo"
The statistics tell the story of a tightly contested match. Mpetshi Perricard fired 38 winners to Musetti’s 20 and dominated with 14 aces compared to just 4 from the Italian. Yet Musetti compensated with steadier all-round play. He committed only 11 unforced errors to his opponent’s 14 and showed greater efficiency under pressure, winning 60% of the key points compared to Mpetshi Perricard’s 40%. On return, Musetti also found an edge, particularly against the second serve, where he won 48% of points compared to his rival’s 37%.
The win highlights Musetti’s ability to absorb power and turn defence into attack, especially with his variety at the net, where he won 73% of points (11/15). Ultimately, though, his calmness in clutch moments proved the difference, as he edged the total points tally 107 to 102.
For Musetti, the challenge now extends beyond his next match in Beijing. While his apology may help defuse some of the anger, the incident underscores the importance of cultural awareness in international competition. Fans in China and abroad will be watching not only his tennis but also how he carries himself in the days ahead.
On the court, his next opponent, Adrian Mannarino, presents another test of patience and consistency. Known for his unorthodox game style and flat groundstrokes, the French veteran thrives in grinding rallies and made it through as the top seed in qualifying. Musetti will need to reset mentally if he is to back up his opening win and continue his push in Beijing.
Sean Killen is a contributing journalist for both DartsNews.com and Tennisuptodate.com, where he balances his university studies with writing news updates, player features, and match reports across both sports.
Before joining the sites, Sean built experience across student and professional media. He serves as TV News Director for Cardiff University TV (CUTV), has reported for Gair Rhydd and The Cardiff Times, and produced viral news coverage that gained international attention. His reporting spans sports, breaking news, and human-interest features, and he’s worked across platforms including print, online, radio, and video.
Sean has followed the ATP and WTA tennis tours closely for years, with a growing interest in darts through the Premier League and World Championship circuits. He brings a sharp eye for storytelling, a commitment to accuracy, and a passion for making niche sports accessible to wider audiences.
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