The Daily Populous Tuesday September 2nd, 2025 day edition
Authored by bbc.com and submitted by NewSlinger

CEO who snatched boy's hat at US Open says he made 'huge mistake'

16 hours ago Share Save Aoife Walsh BBC News Share Save

The man who was caught on camera snatching a hat off a young boy at the US Open has said he made a "huge mistake" after footage of the incident went viral. Piotr Szczerek, a Polish chief executive of a paving firm, said he was "convinced" tennis star Kamil Majchrzak had been "passing his hat in my direction". "I know I did something that seemed like consciously collecting a memento from a child," he wrote in a statement. "This wasn't my intention, but it doesn't change the fact that I hurt the boy and disappointed the fans." The video, taken during Majchrzak's match on Thursday, showed the tennis player offering his cap to a child, before Mr Szczerek appears to take it.

Versions of the clip were shared widely on social media and prompted criticism of Mr Szczerek's actions. The 50-year-old wrote on social media on Monday: "I would like to unequivocally apologise to the injured boy, his family, as well as all the fans and the player himself." He added that he had given the hat back to the boy, and hoped that it had "at least partially repaired the damage that was done". Majchrzak, 29, who had just won his match against Russian ninth seed Karen Khachanov when the incident unfolded, told the BBC he believed he "did what most of athletes would do in this kind of situation", adding he hoped the boy and his family "had a great day". He earlier indicated to the New York Post that he felt there had been some kind of confusion. "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," he said. "I just missed it... I'm sure the guy was also acting in the moment of heat, in the moment of emotions."

Getty Images The man said he was "convinced" tennis star Kamil Majchrzak, pictured above, was passing the hat in his direction

A1sauc3d on September 2nd, 2025 at 02:08 UTC »

“If I knew there would be consequences/blowback I wouldn’t have done it”

Boonlink on September 2nd, 2025 at 02:07 UTC »

The lawyers are speaking for him now

NewSlinger on September 2nd, 2025 at 02:05 UTC »

What he’s really saying is that the huge mistake was getting caught.