"Is it that hard to not be racist?";"This is disgusting" - Fans slam Lorenzo Musetti over 'ignorant' remarks during China Open clash

Lorenzo Musetti is the latest tennis star to come under fire for his actions during the Asian swing. The Italian lashed out at the crowd for seemingly coughing too much during his opening-round encounter against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the China Open on Friday.

After dumping a forehand into the net during the second-set tie-break, Musetti appeared to gesture toward the fans and allegedly said in Italian: "Sti cazzo di cinesi... tossiscono sempre. Dai... ecco." This translates to: "Those damn Chinese... they're always coughing!"

Fans were quick to condemn his behaviour.

“Another day, another offensive thing about Chinese people," one fan on Reddit wrote. "Is it that hard to not be racist?”

“This is disgusting, the Chinese fans have been way more nice than the European crowds and this is what they get.”

Here is how other fans reacted to Musetti’s behaviour at the China Open.

“The entitlement from these players is so crazy when the Chinese fans and organisers have been nothing but extremely passionate and welcoming towards them always,” one fan wrote.

“The amount of blatant racism in the last week and a half... Ignorant privileged bunch,” another added.

“Wow Musetti, you are officially shitlisted forever,” one X user commented.

“Can we have an Asian swing without a player being racist?? Gosh I'm so tired,” a third fan chimed in.

Earlier this month, US Open doubles finalist Taylor Townsend made disparaging comments about Chinese cuisine. She posted a video of dishes, including bullfrogs and turtles, and joked that she would need to call HR. She subsequently apologized for her remarks.

Lorenzo Musetti sets up second-round clash against Adrian Mannarino at the China Open

Lorenzo Musetti got his campaign at the China Open off to a promising start. The Italian defeated Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(3), 6-7(4), 6-4 in the first round.

Up next, Musetti will take on former World No. 17 Adrian Mannarino. The two have faced each other twice before, with each winning once.

The first time Musetti and Mannarino battled was at Indian Wells in 2023. The Frenchman claimed a straight-sets victory. Musetti avenged his loss a year later at the Chengdu Open.

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