US Open scandal: Man who snatched boy's cap apologizes and admits to making 'a big mistake'

Last Thursday, August 28, a video went viral in which a man snatched a child's hat at the US Open. On Monday, September 1, the adult apologized and claimed he had made a "grave mistake."

The man is Piotr Szczerek , a Polish CEO, who stole a cap from fellow Pole Kamil Majchrzak when he tried to give it to a child after his second-round victory over Karen Khachanov.

In the footage, Majchrzak can be seen taking off his cap and appearing to pass it to the boy, who was clutching a giant tennis ball in both hands.

However, when the boy reached out to grab the cap, Szczerek, who was standing next to him, forcefully snatched it away and gave it to a woman, who put it in her bag despite the boy's protest.

Those moments were captured in a video that later went viral on social media, where Szczerek was criticized for his behavior.

Nothing is more disgusting than a child bully. He is Piotr Szczerek, the owner of the Polish Drogbruk company, stealing the cap of Kamil Majchrzak during the US open. Disgusting people. pic.twitter.com/jG3KIRh3dU

— Roberto A. Arrucha (@Arrucha) August 30, 2025

Earlier this week, Szczerek apologized in a Facebook post. He explained that he thought "the tennis player was handing over his cap," specifically to his children, who "had previously asked for autographs."

“That mistaken belief made me instinctively reach out. Today I know I did something that felt like deliberate theft of a child's memory,” he wrote. “ It wasn't my intention, but that doesn't change the fact that I hurt the child and disappointed the fans.”

The millionaire added that "they gave the cap to the child" and that he "apologized to the family." "I hope this has at least partially repaired the damage caused," he said.

He added: "For years, my wife and I have been involved in helping children and young athletes, but this situation showed me that a moment of inattention can undo years of work and support."

The Polish government also announced that it hopes to become more involved in programs supporting children and youth. "This is a painful but necessary lesson in humility for me. Therefore, I will participate even more actively in initiatives supporting children and youth, as well as in the fight against violence and hatred. I believe that only through action can I rebuild the trust I have lost," he stated.

Szczerek concluded his statement by saying, “I apologize to everyone I have disappointed.”

According to Polish newspaper Tenis Magazyn , Szczerek and his wife Anna founded the paving company Drogbruk in 1999.

Days after the incident, tennis player Majchrzak met with the young fan, gave him a US Open-branded goodie bag, including another cap, and posed for photos with him.

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