Viral US Open Hat Snatching Sparks Outrage — Man Apologizes

What was supposed to be a heartwarming moment at the US Open turned into viral controversy last week, after a man was caught on camera snatching a tennis cap meant for a young fan.

Image and Video Courtesy of @SpaceGhostX on X.com

The incident unfolded after Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak won his second-round match against Karen Khachanov. As is tradition, Majchrzak removed his cap and reached out to give it to a boy holding a giant tennis ball for autographs. But just as the child stretched out his hands, Piotr Szczerek — a Polish business executive — swooped in and grabbed the cap, passing it to a woman beside him. The boy’s disappointed reaction was clear, and the video quickly spread online, sparking widespread criticism.

The Apology

Facing backlash, Szczerek took to Facebook on Monday to issue a public apology. He claimed he thought Majchrzak was handing the hat to him, specifically to his sons who had been seeking autographs earlier.

“That mistaken belief made me reach out instinctively,” Szczerek wrote. “Today I know I did something that looked like deliberately taking a souvenir from a child. That was not my intention, but it does not change the fact that I hurt the boy and disappointed the fans.”

He confirmed that the cap has since been returned to the boy and that he personally apologized to the family. Calling it a “painful but necessary lesson in humility,” Szczerek promised to step up his efforts in supporting children and youth, adding: “I apologize to everyone I let down.”

Making It Right

To brighten the situation, Majchrzak later arranged a personal meeting with the young fan. He surprised him with a US Open gift bag, which included another cap, and posed for photos together. Sharing the moment on Instagram, Majchrzak joked with fans: “Do you recognize the cap?”

Meanwhile, fellow Polish star Iga Świątek weighed in when asked about the challenges of handing out souvenirs after matches. The six-time Grand Slam winner admitted it can be tough when multiple fans reach for the same item:
“Obviously usually, like, seven people reach out for one thing,” she explained. “I try to be fair… but not everybody is going to be happy.”

A Lesson in Sportsmanship

While the viral clip highlighted how quickly a feel-good moment can sour, it also showed the power of accountability and redemption. Szczerek’s misstep may have sparked outrage, but Majchrzak’s kind gesture — and the boy’s eventual smile — reminded fans what tennis is really about: joy, connection, and fair play.