Controversy at the 2025 China Open
During the first round of the 2025 China Open held in Beijing, Italian tennis player Lorenzo Musetti found himself in controversy following a frustrating match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. This event came on the heels of an emotional loss in the Chengdu finals, marking Musetti’s fifth consecutive final defeat without securing a title since 2022.
Match Details
Following his distressing experience in Chengdu, where he was visibly upset after the match, he had little time to recover, as he rushed to Beijing for the ATP 500 event, which did not offer first-round byes—even for seeded players like himself.
The match against Mpetshi Perricard was challenging for Musetti as he faced not only the pressure from his opponent’s strong serve but also a health issue that prompted a medical timeout. Despite this, he managed to clinch victory with a score of 7-6(3), 6-7(4), 6-4.
Outburst and Backlash
However, the match would become notorious not just for the tussle on the court but also for Musetti’s outburst during the second-set tiebreak. Frustrated by the noise from some fans who were coughing, Musetti expressed his irritation loudly, making comments that many perceived as racially insensitive towards Chinese fans, saying:
“They’re always coughing those damn Chinese. They keep coughing, f**k. They cough every three minutes.”
This remark quickly spread across Chinese social media, leading to widespread backlash and accusations of racism against the young athlete.
Apology and Clarification
In response to the negative attention, Musetti took to Instagram to clarify and apologize for his words. He expressed sorrow for the incident, explaining that his comments were aimed at a few individuals rather than the Chinese audience as a whole. He stated:
“My words were directed only at a few individuals in the crowd…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.”
Musetti went on to affirm his respect for Chinese culture, emphasizing his history of warmth and support from fans since he began participating in events in China in 2018. He concluded with a heartfelt apology, expressing his gratitude to Chinese fans and hoping to make amends for his comments.
Looking Ahead
As he prepares to face Adrian Mannarino in his upcoming match, many are curious about how Musetti will be received by the Beijing crowd, especially in light of recent incidents involving other players, such as Paula Badosa and Taylor Townsend, who faced criticism for their remarks and had since withdrawn from events in China. The tennis world will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds for Musetti in the following matches.
