Italian public sparks major criticism among tennis players

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 14 May 2025 | 10.03

Criticism of the Italian public. Photo: gettyimages

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It is a recurring theme in each edition, but in this 2025, it is going a step further. The fervor and passion with which the Italian public filling the stands of the Foro Itálico experiences tennis are frequently leading to disrespectful and offensive behaviors towards some players. Medvedev, Munar, Mensik, Stearns, Shnaider... The list of those who have lost their composure due to verbal attacks and offensive acts from the stands is quite significant. On social media, there is a protest movement that Nishioka has joined, denouncing that the hostile atmosphere he has experienced in his participation in this tournament is nothing like that of other events.

Diana Shnaider egging on the Italian crowd after she got broken back in her match against Jasmine Paolini in Rome 💀💀💀

pic.twitter.com/18Suzrsi8K

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 13, 2025

I saw those kinds of situations in Rome. A few years ago, I played against Sonego, and Italian fans screamed “let’s go Sushi”; this year someone called me “come on China” during the game. I know it's only a few people, but it happens many times in Rome. https://t.co/SHmhlrODQe
— YOSHIHITO NISHIOKA (@yoshihitotennis) May 14, 2025