Shanghai — October 9, 2025 — World No. 9 Lorenzo Musetti expressed frustration during his Round of 16 match at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday, pleading with the chair umpire to intervene as fans in the stands continued to cough loudly between his serves. The incident came just days after Musetti publicly apologized for previous comments regarding fan behavior at the China Open in Beijing.
The Italian tennis star’s outburst in Beijing last month made headlines when he criticized the local crowd, saying Chinese spectators were “always coughing,” a remark that sparked backlash. Musetti later apologized for the comment, acknowledging that his words were poorly chosen and that he had allowed the frustration of the match to get the better of him.
However, the issue resurfaced during his match in Shanghai, where he again became visibly irritated by the persistent coughing during crucial moments of play. In a tense exchange, Musetti could be seen requesting that the umpire address the situation, hoping for some relief in the middle of a high-stakes match.
The 22-year-old, who has had an impressive season, is currently one of the top players on the ATP tour. Despite his on-court success, his frustration with fan behavior has been a recurring issue in recent weeks. Many have noted the pressure Musetti faces in high-profile tournaments, and how distractions from the crowd can add to his already intense focus on each point.
While Musetti’s apology in Beijing was seen as an attempt to move past the controversy, his latest frustration in Shanghai suggests the issue remains a sore spot for him. The incident in Shanghai is likely to be closely followed as Musetti continues to navigate the fine line between maintaining his composure and dealing with the distractions inherent to playing in large international events.
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