‘I have made a serious mistake,’ Polish CEO Piotr Szczerek stated.
A Polish businessman who appeared to grab a match-worn hat being handed to a younger boy in the course of the U.S. Open stated 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 stated he regretted his “extremely poor judgment” and took full duty for his “hurtful actions.”
Majchrzak, who represents Poland, received the second spherical match 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-5, 7-6.
Szcerek stated 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 stated in a social media put up.
“I have made a serious mistake,” Szczerek stated in one other put up.
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 stated. “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 stated in his assertion that he had not issued another feedback concerning the incident on social media or elsewhere after stories 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 stated.
“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 capable of monitor down the boy and meet him. Majchrzak advised media shops that the scenario was on account of “some kind of confusion.”
Majchrzak was pressured to retire within the fourth set of his third-round match towards Leandro Riedi of Switzerland on Aug. 30 on account of an undisclosed harm, ending his run within the match.
His finest Grand Slam efficiency got here earlier in 2025 at Wimbledon, the place the 29-year-old reached the fourth spherical.
For those who discovered this text attention-grabbing, please think about supporting conventional journalism
Our first version was printed 25 years in the past from a basement in Atlanta. At the moment, The Epoch Occasions brings fact-based, award-winning journalism to hundreds of thousands of People.
Our journalists have been threatened, arrested, and assaulted, however our dedication to impartial journalism has by no means wavered. This 12 months marks our twenty fifth 12 months of impartial reporting, free from company and political affect.
That’s why you’re invited to a limited-time introductory provide — simply $1 per week — so you possibly can be a part of hundreds of thousands already celebrating impartial information.
