Musetti Requests Umpire Intervention Over Coughing During Shanghai Masters

During his Shanghai Masters match, Italian tennis player Lorenzo Musetti requested the chair umpire to address the issue of spectators ‘coughing’ during his serves, an issue he previously encountered in Beijing.

Musetti found himself in a controversial situation at last month’s China Open during a match with Frenchman Giovannin Mpetshi Perricard, where he commented on the prevalence of ‘coughing’ among Chinese fans.

The recent instance took place in Shanghai during Musetti’s fourth-round contest against Canadian player Felix Auger Aliassime. Some spectators were reportedly coughing loudly, seemingly on purpose, while the Italian was serving in the second round.

The interruptions visibly bothered Musetti. He had previously expressed his annoyance at similar coughing during his Beijing match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Following a lost serve that put him behind 2-5, he addressed the umpire, Adel Nour.

“Come on, (it happens on) every point,” he protested.

Musetti later acknowledged that his remarks were an expression of frustration.

“I understand a few times … I made a mistake, OK, but this is not possible every point. It’s too much. Say something,” Musetti stated.

The 23-year-old ultimately lost the match with scores of 6-4, 6-2.

Following his outburst in Beijing, Musetti issued an apology on Instagram.

“I would like to sincerely apologise for what I said in frustration during my match,” he posted.

He clarified that his remarks were directed at specific individuals who were repeatedly coughing and disrupting the game, and not at the Chinese fanbase in general.

“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,” Musseti explained.

Musetti added that his reaction happened in a moment of stress and tension.

“It happened in a moment of stress and tension in the second but still, this is no excuse at all,” he added.

Musetti is not the only player who has faced criticism for comments regarding Chinese fans.

American player Taylor Townsend previously apologized for offensive remarks about Chinese food and culture before the Billie Jean King Cup final in Shenzhen last month.

Additionally, Magda Linette and Paula Badosa have also received criticism for their statements and actions during their time in China.

Despite the criticism and losing the tiebreak, Musetti did eventually win the match.