‘I have made a serious mistake,’ Polish CEO Piotr Szczerek mentioned.
A Polish businessman who appeared to grab a match-worn hat being handed to a younger boy throughout the U.S. Open mentioned he made a “serious mistake” and apologized.
The footage of Piotr Szczerek, CEO of the Polish paving stone firm Drogbruk, taking the cap went viral throughout information channels and social media, diverting some consideration from Kamil Majchrzak’s thrilling five-set upset towards Russia’s Karen Khachanov on Aug. 28.
The hat was handed to the boy, who was additionally holding out a supersized tennis ball for the participant to signal. Earlier than the boy may react to take the cap, Szcerek snatched it from the participant’s outstretched hand.
Szczerek mentioned he regretted his “extremely poor judgment” and took full accountability for his “hurtful actions.”
Majchrzak, who represents Poland, received the second spherical match 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-5, 7-6.
Szcerek mentioned that he “became caught up in the heat of the moment” and “believed Majchrzak was handing a hat to me to give to my sons, who had previously asked for autographs.”
“In connection with the incident that occurred during Kamill Majchrzak’s match at the US Open, I would like to unequivocally apologize to the young boy, his family, all the fans, and the player himself,” Szczerek mentioned in a social media publish.
“I have made a serious mistake,” Szczerek mentioned in one other publish.
After the footage went viral, and fabricated statements attributed to him and his spouse circulated on the web, his fellow Poles went on a Polish job itemizing web site to criticize him for his actions.
“Regardless of what I believed was happening, the actions I took hurt the young boy and disappointed the fans,” he mentioned. “I have sent the hat back to the boy and extended my sincere apologies to his family. I hope, at least to a small extent, I was able to repair the harm I caused.”
Szcerek mentioned in his assertion that he had not issued every other feedback concerning the incident on social media or elsewhere after reviews circulated of remarks falsely attributed to him claiming he had filed a lawsuit.
“We did not hire any law firm regarding this matter. All statements appearing online accredited to us were false and were not authored by us or our representatives,” Szczerek mentioned.
“This incident has shown me that a moment of inattention can undo years of work and support. It is a painful but necessary lesson in humility. Going forward, I will engage even more actively in initiatives that support children and youth, and I will take actions against violence and hate. I believe that only through actions can I rebuild the trust I have lost.”
After the incident, Majchrzak was in a position to observe down the boy and meet him. Majchrzak informed media retailers that the state of affairs was attributable to “some kind of confusion.”
Majchrzak was compelled to retire within the fourth set of his third-round match towards Leandro Riedi of Switzerland on Aug. 30 attributable to an undisclosed damage, ending his run within the match.
His greatest Grand Slam efficiency got here earlier in 2025 at Wimbledon, the place the 29-year-old reached the fourth spherical.
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