Tennis star Lorenzo Musetti under fire after complaining Chinese fans ‘are always coughing’

Italian tennis star Lorenzo Musetti is under fire after hurling a derogatory remark toward fans in China during a match in Beijing. 

Musetti, 23, was set off when he heard coughing in the crowd during his match against France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the China Open on Friday. 

After dropping a point to the Frenchman in the second-set tiebreaker, the No. 9 ranked player in the world erupted at the crowd. 

“They are always coughing, these f—ing Chinese,” he exclaimed. “They are always coughing, for f–k’s sake. They cough every three seconds.”

Musetti went on to win the match — but his victory was overshadowed by stern pushback on social media and allegations of racism. 

The Italian took to Instagram on Saturday morning to address the Chinese fans and apologize for his actions. 

“I would like to sincerely apologize for what I said in frustration yesterday during my match,” Musetti wrote.

“My words were directed only at a few individuals in the crowd who were coughing repeatedly and disturbing the play,” he continued. “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’s outburst marks the second instance this month that a tennis star has had to walk back offensive remarks sent in China’s direction.

American player Taylor Townsend, in China for the Billie Jean Cup, recently made headlines for her comments about local delicacies served at a buffet. 

She emphasized her shock and confusion while rating the meal “a solid 2 out of 10 so far, because this is crazy.”

Townsend, 29, went on to express her regrets on social media. 

“I just wanted to come on here and apologize sincerely from the bottom of my heart,” Townsend said in a video posted on Instagram. She added that she had “nothing but the most amazing experience” in China and that her comments were “not representative of that at all.”