What should have been a beautiful memory for a young tennis fan at the US Open took a frustrating turn when a viral video captured an adult snatching away a gift meant for the boy.
The incident quickly set the internet ablaze, with users demanding answers and accountability.
The Viral Clip That Sparked Outrage
The clip showed Polish tennis player Kamil Majchrzak walking over to the crowd after his dramatic five-set victory over ninth seed Karen Khachanov.
Excited and full of gratitude, he tried to hand his cap to a boy named Brock, who was visibly thrilled.
But just as the moment was unfolding, another man—later identified as millionaire CEO Piotr Szczerek—reached out, grabbed the hat, and tucked it into his bag, leaving the young fan crushed and confused.
The Public Backlash
The video spread quickly, and internet sleuths wasted no time in uncovering Szczerek’s identity.
The outrage was intense, with people slamming him for taking away what was supposed to be a child’s cherished keepsake from a once-in-a-lifetime tennis experience.
A Groveling Apology
Facing mounting criticism, Szczerek posted an apology on his company’s Instagram page.
Admitting he made “a huge mistake,” he revealed that he had already returned the cap to Brock.
He said he acted in the heat of the moment, mistakenly believing the hat was meant for his sons, who had been seeking autographs earlier.
“I know now that it looked like I stole a souvenir from a child,” he wrote.
“That was never my intention, but I hurt the boy and disappointed the fans. For that, I am deeply sorry.”
Protecting His Family
Szczerek explained that he had turned off comments on the post to protect his family from the backlash.
He emphasized that neither he, his wife, nor his children had made any statements online about the incident and denied hiring a law firm to manage the fallout.
A Lesson in Humility
The CEO admitted that the backlash was a painful but humbling experience.
He said the moment taught him how one careless action can undo years of goodwill.
He vowed to support even more initiatives for children and young athletes, hoping to rebuild trust through meaningful actions rather than words.
The Player’s Perspective
Majchrzak, who confirmed to the New York Post that Szczerek was indeed the man in the video, described the scene as a simple “confusion.”
Exhausted after his win, he admitted that he didn’t realize what had happened until later.
“I was pointing and giving the hat, but I just missed it. I’m sure the guy was also acting in the heat of the moment,” he said.
Making Things Right with Brock
Fortunately, Majchrzak was reunited with Brock a few days later.
The Polish player shared a heartwarming video of the two shaking hands and chatting, with Brock receiving a bag of merchandise as an extra gift.
“Hello World, Together with Brock we wish you a great day!” Majchrzak captioned the post.
A Personal Passion for Tennis
Szczerek is no stranger to the sport.
Introduced to tennis by his wife Anna, he plays competitively at an amateur level and has even hosted former Polish tennis stars on his private court.
His company also sponsors youth sports programs and had previously supported Poland’s tennis federation.
A Bittersweet Ending
While the hat saga seemed to end on a positive note, Majchrzak’s tournament journey was cut short.
Just two days after the reunion with Brock, he was forced to retire from his third-round match against Leandro Riedi due to injury, trailing 5-3 in the first set.
