Italian Tennis Star Lorenzo Musetti Apologises for On-Court Outburst at China Open

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Italian tennis player Lorenzo Musetti has issued an apology following an on-court outburst during his match at the China Open in Beijing.

The 23-year-old, visibly frustrated during his three-set victory over Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Friday, mimicked a person coughing and remarked in Italian, "They cough every three seconds." Local media, including state-owned The Paper, reported that Musetti also appeared to mouth the words "damn Chinese."

On Saturday, Musetti clarified his intentions on Instagram, stating: "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 realise that the way I expressed myself was wrong and inappropriate, and it hurt many Chinese fans' feelings."

Musetti, the fourth seed, is scheduled to face 37-year-old Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in the round of 16. Earlier this week, he lost the Chengdu Open final to Chilean qualifier Alejandro Tabilo.

The apology follows a similar controversy involving American player Taylor Townsend, who faced criticism for making disparaging remarks about food in China while competing at the Billie Jean King Cup in Shenzhen. Townsend later withdrew from the China Open, citing schedule changes.