On Saturday, Italian tennis player Lorenzo Musetti, who is currently participating in the 2025 China Open, issued an apology on his overseas social media account for his behavior that was suspected of insulting Chinese spectators. Musetti said his words were only directed at a few people in the crowd who repeatedly coughed and disrupted the match. Earlier, a video showing Musetti being affected by coughing from the stands, imitating coughing, and insulting Chinese people in Italian after making a mistake during the match, sparked controversy on social media both in China and abroad.

According to a report by the Titan Sports, the controversy originated in the first round of the men's singles at the 2025 China Open, where Musetti faced French player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. During the match, Musetti was disturbed by coughing from the audience, complained toward the stands, and imitated the coughing sounds. After the match, his comments in Italian were translated by netizens and posted on social media. These comments contained obvious insults and disrespectful words toward Chinese spectators, including remarks such as "keep coughing."

However, it remains unclear whether those coughing during the match between the two players were indeed Chinese spectators. Musetti's disrespectful comments, made without verification, triggered public outrage. On overseas social media, some users also condemned his behavior.

In response, Musetti officially addressed the situation and apologized on Saturday. In his apology post, he stated that what he said in frustration was never, in any way, meant for the Chinese people. "I realize that the way I expressed myself was wrong and inappropriate…I deeply regret it and feel very remorseful," the tennis player wrote. He also emphasized that he has always admired the Chinese people and expressed his appreciation for the support and kindness from Chinese fans.

Musetti has participated in tournaments in China several times. Chinese prospect Buyunchaokete swept past Musetti in the men's singles quarterfinals at the 2024 China Open, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Global Times