Lorenzo Musetti of Italy reacts after his victory against Adrian Mannarino of France in the men's singles round of 16 match druing the 2025 China Open at the Lotus court of the National Tennis Center in Beijing on September 28, 2025. Photo: VCG

Italian tennis player and current world No.9 Lorenzo Musetti signed a "Sorry" on the camera after his match on Sunday at the China Open, for the second time expressing his apology following his inappropriate remarks earlier that simmered among Chinese audiences.

"I apologized already on social [media], but I want to do it in person, i think it's more elegant," Musetti said at the post-match on-court interview on Sunday. "I think they need my apology."

Musetti, who is the fourth seeded male tennis player at the China Open, was caught using derogatory terms to complain toward the Chinese audience, who were accused by Musetti of using coughs to disrupt his match against French player Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Friday.

On Saturday Musetti issued an apology on his Instagram page by writing, "My words were directed only at a few individuals in the crowd who were coughing repeatedly and disturbing the play," adding that the words 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," the 23-year-old said in the post. 

"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."

"I have always admired Chinese people and I truly appreciate playing in your country. 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."

The ATP has yet to make any public statement over Musetti's remarks.

Entering his match against French qualifier Adrian Mannarino on Sunday, Musetti received both boos and cheers from the stands at the Lotus court of the National Tennis Center. 

He won Sunday's match 6-3, 6-3 to book a berth in the men's singles quarterfinals, where he will take on Learner Tien of the US on Monday.