It was supposed to be just another heated battle on the hard courts of Beijing, but Lorenzo Musetti’s match at the China Open this Friday quickly became the center of an international controversy. The 23-year-old Italian, currently ranked No. 9 in the world, found himself under fire after his outburst about the local crowd, which was caught on microphones and swiftly circulated on social media.
The drama began during Musetti’s round-of-32 clash with France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Throughout the match, Musetti appeared visibly agitated by persistent coughing from spectators between his first and second serves. At the height of tension, after missing a crucial forehand in the second-set tiebreak, he gestured toward the stands and, in Italian, vented: “They are always coughing, these f---ing Chinese. They are always coughing, for f---’s sake. They cough every three seconds.” The comment, intended for a small group, was picked up by broadcast microphones and quickly made its way onto social platforms, sparking outrage.
Despite the distraction, Musetti held his nerve to defeat Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(3), 6-7(4), 6-4 in a gritty contest. But victory on the court was soon overshadowed by a much bigger battle off it. The backlash was immediate and fierce. Social media users flooded Musetti’s Instagram, accusing him of racism and responding with a barrage of insults and slurs directed at Italian culture. The incident was widely reported by outlets including The Spun and the Associated Press.
By Saturday morning, Musetti issued a public apology on his social media accounts, hoping to quell the storm. In a heartfelt message, he wrote: “I would like to sincerely apologize 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 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.”
Musetti went further, emphasizing his longstanding appreciation for China: “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.”
While some fans appreciated the apology, others remained skeptical. The incident has reignited ongoing conversations about cultural sensitivity and the pressures athletes face when competing abroad. Musetti’s apology, though prompt, didn’t immediately stem the tide of criticism. The Italian’s next test will come off the court as much as on it, as he faces scrutiny from fans and media alike.
This controversy is not an isolated event in elite tennis. Earlier in September, American tennis star Taylor Townsend faced similar backlash for comments made about Chinese cuisine during the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen. Townsend posted a video critiquing the buffet options at the tournament, singling out dishes like stewed bullfrogs and turtles. In her video, she joked, “I’m honestly just so shocked at what I saw in the dinner buffet. As I go back and I look… these people are literally killing frogs… bullfrogs. Aren’t those poisonous? Aren’t those the ones that give you warts and boils and stuff? And the fact that it’s all stewed up with chillies, peppers, and onions. Like oh, you really made this a dish. All in all I’d give this like a solid 2 out of 10 so far, because this is crazy.”
Her remarks, perceived as culturally insensitive, quickly drew criticism online. Townsend soon posted her own apology, saying, “I just wanted to come on here and apologize sincerely from the bottom of my heart. I understand that I’m so privileged as a professional athlete to be able to travel all around the world and experience cultural differences, which is one of the things I love so much about what I do. I’ve had nothing but the most amazing experience and time here. The tournament and everyone [here] has been so kind and gracious. The things I said were not representative of that at all. I wanted to truly apologize. There’s no excuse, there’s no words. I will be better. I am really thankful to my country to be able to represent them. I truly apologize.”
It’s not the first time players have found themselves in hot water over comments or gestures made during the Asian swing of the tennis calendar. In 2024, Polish player Magda Linette and Spain’s Paula Badosa were both criticized for culturally insensitive remarks and actions while competing in China and neighboring countries. Linette’s attempt to apologize for a social media post referencing “the virus database has been updated” was cut short during an on-court interview, while Badosa faced backlash for a photo in which she pulled back her eyelids with chopsticks.
For Musetti, the fallout has been swift. With his next match against France’s Adrian Mannarino scheduled for Sunday, all eyes will be on how the Italian handles the pressure—not just from his opponent, but from a global audience now watching his every move. The China Open, one of the marquee events on the ATP calendar in Asia, has become an unexpected flashpoint for discussions about respect, sportsmanship, and the challenges of cultural exchange in international sport.
The ATP, tournament organizers, and fellow players have yet to issue official statements regarding either Musetti or Townsend’s incidents, but the message from fans is clear: words matter, especially on a stage as global as professional tennis. Athletes are being reminded, perhaps more than ever, that their conduct off the court can be just as significant as their performance on it.
As the China Open continues and the tennis world turns its attention to the next round of matches, the hope is that lessons have been learned. Musetti’s apology, coupled with Townsend’s earlier contrition, may help repair some of the damage, but both players will need to demonstrate their respect for the host nation not just in words, but in actions. For now, the focus shifts back to the tennis, where Musetti will try to let his racket do the talking against Mannarino on Sunday.
With the controversy still fresh, the China Open is shaping up to be about more than just the on-court action. The coming days will show whether Musetti and Townsend can win back the hearts of fans—and whether the sport itself can foster greater understanding and respect across cultures.
