Lorenzo Musetti found himself at the center of controversy at the 2025 China Open after being greeted with loud boos during his entrance for a second-round match in Beijing. The Italian tennis star, who had come under fire for remarks directed at Chinese fans during his opening-round win, later attempted to make amends by folding his hands toward the crowd in a gesture of apology after securing victory.
What Sparked Lorenzo Musetti’s Backlash in Beijing?
The tension stemmed from Musetti’s first-round match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on September 26. During a crucial second-set tiebreak, the 23-year-old appeared irritated when a spectator repeatedly coughed and reacted in anger. Speaking in Italian, he was caught on camera saying words that translated to, “Those damn Chinese… they’re always coughing.”
Social media backlash was swift, with many condemning the outburst as xenophobic. Musetti addressed the controversy directly on Instagram later on that day. In his post, he acknowledged his remarks, apologized for his language, and sought forgiveness from the local fans in Beijing.
The backlash carried over into his next outing against French qualifier Adrian Mannarino. As Musetti walked into the stadium for the second-round clash, spectators in Beijing responded with a chorus of boos that echoed through the arena. Despite the hostile reception, the Italian kept his composure and delivered a convincing 6-3, 6-3 win.
Musetti got booed as he entered the court earlier. pic.twitter.com/vGhdb3Zbm1
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 28, 2025
After the handshake at the net, Musetti turned to the stands and folded his hands in a traditional gesture of apology, signaling contrition in front of the same fans who had voiced their displeasure. Tennis insider José Morgado shared footage of both incidents on X.
Musetti apologizes to the Chinese crowd after reaching the QFs in Beijing. pic.twitter.com/5thxmXwNoF
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 28, 2025
Musetti also signed “Sorry” to the camera before leaving, surrounded by heavy security.
Some boos could be heard when Musetti stepped onto the court. There were some coughs during the match and boos mixed with cheers after it ended. Musetti signed “Sorry” to the camera and apologized again.
He signed for the fans before leaving, surrounded by about five guards. pic.twitter.com/5aiQYcS5zx
— Bendou Zhang🎾 (@BendouZhang) September 28, 2025
Looking ahead, Musetti booked his first quarterfinal appearance in Beijing, where he will face Learner Tien in their maiden ATP Tour meeting.
What Other Controversies Emerged During the Asian Swing?
Musetti’s incident echoes a parallel controversy earlier in the Beijing swing involving American player Taylor Townsend. During the Billie Jean King Cup in Shenzhen, Townsend posted Instagram stories mocking traditional Chinese cuisine, including bullfrogs and soft-shelled turtle, calling the food “crazy” and asking whether it was “poisonous” or capable of giving people “warts and boils.”
The comments triggered an immediate backlash, forcing her to apologize, acknowledging that there was “no excuse” for her reaction and promising to do better. Within days, Townsend withdrew from the China Open in Beijing, officially citing a scheduling change, although many observers saw the withdrawal as linked to the controversy.