A Polish business executive has issued a comprehensive apology to a young tennis fan at the center of a US Open controversy, confirming that a signed cap has been returned to the child, Newsweek reported Sunday.
Grown man at the U.S. open snatches the hat that Kamil Majchrzak was trying to give to this kid.
I believe the tennis star found the little boy to replace this hat.
Anyone know who the louse was that stole the hat and stashed it in a bag?
Make him famous. pic.twitter.com/omi4S14qvg— Rochellemaryn 🌹🕊️ (@RochelleAz) August 29, 2025
The millionaire head of Polish paving firm Drogbruk, Piotr Szczerek, was recorded on camera taking a tennis cap that Polish player Kamil Majchrzak had directed toward a young spectator following his second-round victory against Russian competitor Karen Khachanov, according to Newsweek.
The video recording generated significant criticism across social media platforms against the business executive, Newsweek reported. "I made a serious mistake," the businessman wrote in a statement shared to his social media page, originally in Polish.
There was a happy ending to the viral hat snatching saga. 🥹❤️
Brett Haber was calling the hat snatcher as he sees it! 😅🤣#TCLive | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/MSQq17F7p9
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) August 31, 2025
"In the emotions, in the crowd's joy after the victory, I was convinced that the tennis player was handing the cap in my direction for my sons, who had earlier asked for autographs. This false assumption made me reach out instinctively. Today, I know that what I did looked like deliberately taking a keepsake from a child. That was not my intention, but it doesn't change the fact that I hurt the boy and let the fans down. The cap has been given back to the boy, and I apologize to the family. I hope that I have at least partially repaired the harm caused."
The paving construction firm faced an influx of critical online reviews following the identification of Szczerek in the viral footage. The construction business currently displays a 1.4 star average on Google's review platform, with the majority of single-star ratings accompanied by references to the tennis match incident.
Review platform Trustpilot has posted a notification on the firm's profile stating the page is "currently closed for new reviews due to media attention." "FIRE THE CEO! I strongly advise against supporting Drogbruk," one of the almost 1,200 Trustpilot reviews said. "The CEO was caught on live video snatching a prized, signed hat from a child."
The executive stated that he and his spouse had for years "been involved in helping children and young athletes, but this situation has shown me that a single moment of inattention can undo years of work and support. For me, this is a painful but necessary lesson in humility," Szczerek said. "That is why I will be even more actively involved in initiatives supporting children and youth and in efforts against violence and hate. I believe that only through actions can I regain the lost trust. Once again, I apologize to everyone I let down."
Professional tennis player Majchrzak verified the businessman's identity to The New York Post, noting that the executive serves as a sponsor for Poland's tennis federation. "Obviously, it was some kind of confusion," Majchrzak told The Post. "I was pointing, giving the hat, but I had a lot going on after my match, after being super-tired and super-excited for the win. I just missed it. I had like a dead look, if you know what I mean. I'm sure the guy was also acting in the moment of heat, in the moment of emotions."
