Quick Summary
Polish millionaire Piotr Szczerek was caught on camera snatching a signed cap from a child at the US Open, sparking global outrage. The tennis star, Kamil Majchrzak, later reunited with the child, gifting him more memorabilia. Szczerek has since deleted his social media accounts and reportedly apologized.
A heartwarming post-match moment at the US Open turned sour when a Polish businessman snatched a signed cap meant for a young fan, sparking outrage across social media. The man has since been identified as millionaire CEO Piotr Szczerek, whose actions quickly went viral.
What happened after the match?
The incident took place after Polish tennis player Kamil Majchrzak’s dramatic five-set win over ninth seed Karen Khachanov. As is tradition, Majchrzak lingered courtside to sign autographs and hand out memorabilia.
When he offered his hat to a young boy named Brock, video captured Szczerek intercepting the gift, grabbing the cap, and placing it into his wife’s bag while the child protested. Fans nearby filmed the shocking moment, which spread rapidly online.
Who is Piotr Szczerek?
Szczerek is the CEO of Drogbruk, a successful paving company in Poland. He is also known as a sponsor of Poland’s tennis federation—a fact that added layers of embarrassment once his identity was revealed.
Following the backlash, Szczerek deleted his social media accounts. Critics accused him of destroying what should have been a lifelong memory for a child.
- “Stealing from a child is completely disgusting,” one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote.
- Another added: “Unless that’s his own kid, there’s no excuse.”
How did the tennis star respond?
Initially unaware of the situation, Majchrzak learned about it only after the online uproar. He responded quickly on Instagram, posting screenshots of the disappointed child and appealing for help in identifying him.
“Thanks to @asicstennis, I’ve got enough caps, so I’m prepared for that,” Majchrzak wrote in an Instagram story. “Hey guys, could you help me find the kid from my match @usopen @eurosportpl? If it’s you (or your parents see this), please send me a DM.”
A happy ending for the child
The outreach worked. The boy, Brock, was tracked down, and Majchrzak arranged a personal meeting. Instead of just a replacement cap, the young fan received a bag full of memorabilia.
“Hello world, together with Brock, we wish you a great day!” Majchrzak posted alongside a smiling photo with the boy.
Did Szczerek try to make amends?
Majchrzak later revealed that Szczerek had reached out to the child’s family to apologize. The tennis player suggested that the incident might have been the result of confusion or adrenaline in the chaotic post-match scene.
“I was pointing, giving the hat, but I had a lot going on after my match,” Majchrzak told the New York Post. “I’m sure the guy was also acting in the moment of heat, in the moment of emotions.”
Why this story struck a nerve
The viral clip touched a raw nerve for sports fans. Post-match autograph sessions are sacred for many young spectators—a chance to connect with their heroes in an unforgettable way.
When that moment is disrupted, particularly by an adult exploiting a child, it raises broader questions about fairness and entitlement in sports culture.
The backlash also reflects growing online accountability: in an era where viral videos can identify individuals in hours, public figures and wealthy elites are not insulated from consequences when they misstep in plain sight.
