Lorenzo Musetti has apologized for saying that “these f—ing Chinese” are “always coughing” during his China Open match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Beijing.
The Italian had complained to umpire Mohamed Lahyani about a group of fans of unknown nationality that coughed between Musetti’s first and second serves on several occasions. After missing a forehand in the net during the second-set tiebreak, Musetti gestured toward the upper levels of the stands and said, “Tossiscono sempre sti cazzo di cinesi. Tossiscono sempre, cazzo. Tossiscono ogni tre secondi,” which translates to “They are always coughing, these f—ing Chinese. They are always coughing, for f—‘s sake. They cough every three seconds.”
Musetti, who won the match against France’s Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(3), 6-7(4), 6-4, later said that he wanted to “sincerely apologize,” adding that his comments “were never in any way meant for the Chinese people”:
“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,” Musetti wrote in an apology published to social media.
“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 the Chinese people and I truly appreciate playing in your country. I have been coming back to China since 2018 and 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.”
Musetti’s comments follow Taylor Townsend saying that “these people are literally killing frogs” while recording videos of a buffet in Shenzhen, China, where she was representing the U.S. in the Billie Jean King Cup. Townsend also apologized, but did not directly address Chinese people or culture in her apology.
During last year’s fall run of hard-court tournaments in China, Japan and Korea, other players were criticized for remarks and gestures toward Chinese people. Polish player Magda Linette attempted to apologize for writing “the virus database has been updated” under a photo taken on a train from Beijing to Wuhan for the Wuhan Open, but was cut short during her on-court interview. Spain’s Paula Badosa also apologized for a photo in which she pulled back her eyelids with chopsticks.
Musetti will play France’s Adrian Mannarino in the China Open round of 16 Sunday.
(Photo: Lintao Zhang / Getty Images)
