Overview

• He posted an Instagram apology saying his words were aimed at a few spectators who were coughing repeatedly and not at Chinese people.
• Broadcast footage showed him mimicking a cough and saying in Italian, "They cough every three seconds," during a tense second-set tiebreak.
• State-owned outlet The Paper and other local media reported he appeared to mouth the phrase "damn Chinese," a claim not confirmed by his statement.
• The clip spread widely on social media and drew criticism from fans who called the behavior offensive and inappropriate.
• He beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 to reach the last 16 and is scheduled to face Adrian Mannarino, with AFP noting parallels to recent backlash involving Taylor Townsend.