Musetti Apologizes for Offensive Remark at China Open

BEIJING (AP) — Lorenzo Musetti, the Italian tennis star, issued a public apology following offensive comments he made during a match at the China Open on Friday. The 23-year-old was frustrated by loud coughing from spectators during his round-of-32 match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

During the match, Musetti complained to umpire Mohamed Lahyani about the disruptive noise. After a missed shot in a tense moment of the second-set tiebreak, Musetti was caught on camera expressing his irritation by saying, “They are always coughing, these f—ing Chinese,” in Italian.

Following the match, which he won 7-6(3), 6-7(4), 6-4, Musetti took to social media to apologize. In his statement, he clarified that his words were aimed at a specific group in the crowd, saying, “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.”

Musetti expressed regret for his choice of words, stating that they were “wrong and inappropriate” and that he did not intend to offend. He has a strong appreciation for China and its culture, noting, “I have always admired the Chinese people and I truly appreciate playing in your country.”

This incident comes in the wake of other tennis players facing backlash for remarks about Chinese fans and culture. Musetti is set to face Adrian Mannarino of France in the round of 16 on Sunday, where he aims to move past the controversy and focus on his performance.