Featured Image Credit: USTA
Topics: Social Media, Viral, US News
Callum Jones
A company CEO who was caught on TV seemingly stealing a hat from a child at the US Open has spoken out.
29-year-old tennis player Kamil Majchrzak was interacting with his crowd of fans after defeating Karen Khachanov in a thrilling match on August 28.
Such a moment allows fans to speak to their heroes, but for one kid, this memorable moment was quite literally stolen from him when Majchrzak handed him a signed cap, only for the man next to him to seemingly snatch it up instead.
In the viral footage, the man can be seen stuffing the hat into a bag while smiling, as the child audibly protests the move, seemingly unaware that the whole moment is being captured on camera.
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That man has since been identified as Piotr Szczerek, a millionaire and CEO of paving company Drogbruk.
Szczerek has since spoken out and issued an apology.
He said in a translated statement released today (1 September): "Due to the situation that occurred during Kamil Majchrzak's match at the US Open, I would like to unequivocally apologize to the injured boy, his family, all the fans, and the player himself.
"I made a grave mistake. In the midst of emotion, amidst the crowd's celebration after my victory, I was convinced that the tennis player was passing the cap to me – for my sons, who had previously asked for autographs. This mistaken belief caused me to instinctively reach out.
"Today I know that I did something that looked like I deliberately took a souvenir from a child. It wasn't my intention, but that doesn't change the fact that I hurt the boy and disappointed the fans."
The statement continued: "The cap was given to the boy, and an apology is due to the family. I hope that I have at least partially repaired the harm.
"I also want to make it clear: neither I, my wife, nor my sons commented on this situation on social media or on any website. We did not use the services of any law firm in this regard. All alleged statements appearing online are not ours.
"For years, my wife and I have been involved in helping children and young athletes, but this situation has shown me that one moment of inattention can undo years of work and support. This is a painful but necessary lesson in humility for me."
Szczerek concluded his statement by saying he will 'be even more actively involved in initiatives supporting children' as he tries to 'rebuild lost trust'.