(Video) Lorenzo Musetti Folds Hands and Apologizes to Fans After ‘Damn Chinese’ Remark in Beijing Open

Lorenzo Musetti will lock horns with America's Learner Tien in the quarterfinals of the China Open.

(Video) Lorenzo Musetti Folds Hands and Apologizes to Fans After ‘Damn Chinese’ Remark in Beijing Open

Lorenzo Musetti apologizes to the Chinese fans (Image via X/Giovanni Pelazzo, Tennis TV)

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Lorenzo Musetti has grabbed a spot in the quarterfinals of the China Open after going past Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-3. The match, held on Sunday (September 28), saw some fans at Lotus Court booing Musetti when his name was announced.

This happened after Musetti was accused of insulting the Chinese people. While he was clashing with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the second round, Musetti was greatly annoyed by some fans who were coughing a lot. The 23-year-old was heard yelling, “These damn Chinese are always coughing“.

As expected, the comment has stirred a lot of outrage as he was accused of racism. Musetti did not waste much time in posting an apology message, saying he uttered all those things in the heat of the moment, that whatever he said was directed only at a few individuals who were coughing and causing disruption.

Musetti also said he has always admired the Chinese people and has been coming to Beijing since 2018. After beating Mannarino, Musetti folded his hands above his head, seemingly apologizing once again. When it was time for him to sign the camera, the Italian ace wrote one word: “Sorry“.

Here’s the video:

The Musetti controversy happened after America’s Taylor Townsend criticized the local dishes in a restaurant in Shenzhen during the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, expressing her utter shock after seeing food items made out of sea cucumber, turtle, and bullfrogs. She also later took to social media to post an apology video.

Lorenzo Musetti lost the Chengdu Open final

For the fifth consecutive time, Lorenzo Musetti suffered defeat in a final. Last year, he lost all three finals he reached, and his losing streak continued this year as well.

Lorenzo Musetti US Open 2025
Lorenzo Musetti (image via ATP)

First, six-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz denied him his first ATP 1000 title in the Monte Carlo Masters, then Alejandro Tabilo denied him the Chengdu Open win. Musetti broke into tears after that defeat, but had only kind words for Tabilo during the trophy presentation.

Tough night for me, I guess. Probably was not my day. Of course, I want to congratulate Alejandro; it was a really intense match, and we fought hard until the last point. There is only one winner in this sport. Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn, hopefully it is going to go better.

The last title that Musetti won was the 2022 Tennis Napoli Cup, an ATP 250 event, by beating compatriot Matteo Berrettini. It was also his second trophy of his career.

I want to thank my team, my family watching at home, I have all the support, I think we are doing a good job, I think it’s a matter of time before we win a title, it’s three years now of making finals but never lifting the trophy, so every time we are a step closer. Hopefully, next time is the lucky one.

Lorenzo Musetti added

It was their first encounter. For Tabilo, it was his first final of the season and his career’s third title in his overall fifth final. Tabilo next featured at the Japan Open but crashed out after a three-set defeat to Zizou Bergs in the opening round. The 28-year-old will next be locking horns with Jie Cui in the first qualifier of the ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters.

The 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medalist will next be locking horns with Learner Tien, who went past Flavio Cobolli and Francisco Cerundolo in the previous two rounds. If Musetti beats Tien, he will meet Daniil Medvedev, Corentin Moutet, or Alexander Zverev in the semifinals. In the final, Musetti is projected to lock horns with compatriot Jannik Sinner, the winner of the 2023 China Open and the runner-up here last year.

Also read: Lorenzo Musetti Apologizes for Controversial Chinese Comments at Beijing Open