A viral moment at the US Open has stirred global outrage after a Polish CEO was caught on camera snatching an autographed hat intended for a young fan. The incident occurred after Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak upset ninth seed Karen Khachanov in a thrilling match. In a heartwarming gesture, Majchrzak removed his cap to gift it to a boy named Brock. However, before the child could receive it, Piotr Szczerek, the CEO of the Polish paving company Drogbruk, grabbed the hat and placed it in his bag. The visibly upset boy was left in tears, and the moment went unnoticed by Majchrzak at the time.
The video quickly spread across social media, sparking widespread condemnation. Many users accused Szczerek of entitlement and cruelty, with some going so far as to label him a “child bully.” The backlash extended beyond online criticism, as Drogbruk’s online ratings reportedly plummeted, and social media accounts linked to Szczerek were deactivated amid the fallout. The story soon dominated headlines worldwide, transforming what should have been a joyful sporting memory into an international controversy.
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| Piotr Szczerek snatching autographed hat from child / US Open |
Facing mounting criticism, Szczerek issued a public apology on September 1. He admitted to making a “serious mistake” and described the episode as a “necessary lesson in humility.” According to his statement, he believed the hat had been meant for his own sons, who had asked for autographs earlier in the day. He also clarified that neither he nor his family had released any prior statements, distancing himself from fake online posts circulating in his name. Later, he returned the hat and issued a direct apology to Brock and his family, acknowledging the harm caused by his actions.
Majchrzak, upon seeing the viral video, took to social media to track down the young fan. Within hours, he managed to locate Brock and personally reunited with him. The Polish player gifted the boy another signed cap along with additional memorabilia, turning a painful moment into one of redemption. Fans hailed Majchrzak’s kindness and praised the power of the internet in creating a positive outcome.
Despite the controversy off the court, Majchrzak’s run at the US Open ended when he was forced to retire from his third-round match due to injury. Still, his act of compassion resonated deeply with tennis fans, who applauded him for stepping in to repair what had been a disheartening episode.
While Szczerek now faces the challenge of repairing his public image, Majchrzak has emerged with his reputation burnished. The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly reputations can shift in the age of viral media, and how one athlete’s grace turned a story of humiliation into one of hope.
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Viral