New York, August 31, 2025 – A shocking incident at the 2025 US Open has thrust Polish CEO Piotr Szczerek into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, sparking a firestorm of criticism and debate over fan behavior and entitlement at public events. During a celebratory moment following Polish tennis player Kamil Majchrzak’s thrilling five-set victory over ninth seed Karen Khachanov on August 30, Szczerek was caught on camera snatching a signed hat intended for a young fan named Brock, leaving the boy visibly distraught and igniting widespread outrage across social media and beyond.
The Incident Unfolds
The incident occurred courtside at Flushing Meadows’ Court 11, where Majchrzak, ranked 76th in the world, was signing autographs after his hard-fought 2-6, 6-7 (7-4), 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) win against Khachanov. In a gesture of goodwill, the 29-year-old tennis star removed his match-worn hat and offered it to Brock, a young fan eagerly holding a giant tennis ball for an autograph. However, before the boy could secure the keepsake, Szczerek, standing nearby, swiftly grabbed the hat and handed it to his wife, Anna, who placed it in her bag. The moment, captured on live broadcast, showed the boy protesting, exclaiming, “What are you doing?” as Szczerek appeared to chuckle, seemingly unfazed by the child’s distress.
The clip quickly went viral, amassing tens of millions of views across platforms like X, Instagram, and YouTube. Online sleuths identified the man as Piotr Szczerek, the millionaire CEO of Drogbruk, a leading Polish paving company he co-founded with his wife in 1999. The public reaction was swift and unrelenting, with fans and commentators branding Szczerek’s actions as “disgusting,” “selfish,” and “a disgrace to sportsmanship.” Social media posts condemned him as a “child bully” and called for accountability, with one user writing, “Nothing is more disgusting than stealing a precious memory from a kid.” Another speculated, “The only reasonable explanation would be that’s his kid and he was just pulling his leg. Otherwise, he’s a complete jerk.”
Szczerek’s Controversial Response
Rather than issuing an apology, Szczerek doubled down in a statement allegedly posted on Gowork.pl, a Polish job search site, though its authenticity remains unverified. The translated statement read: “The recent incident at the tennis match has caused a disproportionate online uproar. It’s all about the famous hat, of course. Yes, I took it. Yes, I did it quickly. But as I’ve always said, life is first come, first served. I understand that some people might not like it, but please, let’s not make a global scandal out of the hat. It’s just a hat. If you were faster, you would have it. Regarding online hate, I remind you that insulting a public figure is subject to legal liability.” The unapologetic tone and threat of legal action against critics only fueled the backlash, with many accusing Szczerek of arrogance and entitlement.
Following the viral uproar, Szczerek deactivated his social media accounts, and his company, Drogbruk, faced a barrage of negative reviews on platforms like Gowork.pl and Trustpilot, where its rating plummeted to 1.1 stars. Critics flooded review sites with comments such as “You can’t buy class” and “He’s a thief and will regret this for the rest of his life,” leading to what has been described as a “review-bombing” campaign. Some called for a boycott of Drogbruk, while others urged the US Open to ban Szczerek from future events.
Majchrzak’s Heartwarming Response
In stark contrast to Szczerek’s actions, Kamil Majchrzak emerged as the hero of the story. Unaware of the incident during the chaotic post-match moment, Majchrzak learned of the snatching through the viral video and immediately took action. On August 30, he posted on his Instagram Story, sharing a screenshot of the heartbroken boy and appealing to fans: “After the match, I didn’t record that my cap didn’t get to the boy … Could you help me find the kid from my match?” Thanks to the power of social media, Majchrzak located Brock within an hour.
The following day, Majchrzak met with Brock at the US Open grounds, gifting him a new signed hat, additional memorabilia, and posing for photos. In a heartwarming Instagram post, he wrote, “Today after warm-up, I had a nice meeting. Do you recognize?” alongside a cap emoji. A second post featured a smiling Majchrzak and Brock, captioned, “Hello world, together with Brock. We wish you a great day!” The gesture earned widespread praise, with fans lauding Majchrzak’s sportsmanship and compassion. “This is what true class looks like,” one commenter wrote. “Kamil turned a bad moment into a memory Brock will cherish forever.”
Majchrzak later spoke to The New York Post, clarifying that Szczerek sponsors Poland’s tennis federation and describing the incident as “some kind of confusion.” He explained, “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.” Despite his diplomatic tone, the tennis star’s actions spoke louder, ensuring Brock’s experience at the US Open ended on a positive note.
Szczerek’s Reported Remorse
On August 31, reports surfaced that Szczerek expressed regret and was seeking to make amends, though no official apology has been confirmed. According to Marca, the CEO is attempting to repair the damage to his reputation, but public forgiveness appears unlikely given the intensity of the backlash. Tenis Magazyn, a Polish publication, previously profiled Szczerek and his wife as avid tennis enthusiasts who support local sports programs, noting their rise to the second division of the amateur Kalisz Tennis Association. However, their passion for tennis has now been overshadowed by the controversy.
A Broader Conversation
The incident has sparked broader discussions about fan behavior, entitlement, and the role of social media in holding individuals accountable. Szczerek’s actions, juxtaposed with Majchrzak’s kindness, highlight the stark contrast between self-interest and sportsmanship. The viral nature of the video underscores the internet’s power to amplify both outrage and redemption, as seen in the swift identification of Szczerek and the heartwarming resolution for Brock.
As the 2025 US Open continues through September 7, the hat-snatching incident serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of actions in the public eye. For Brock, the story ended with a new hat and a memorable meeting with his tennis idol. For Piotr Szczerek, the fallout may linger, as his company grapples with a tarnished reputation and the internet’s unrelenting memory.
