A video of a man stealing an autographed tennis cap from a young fan at the US Open has gone viral, sparking widespread outrage. The man has been identified as Piotr Szczerek, a Polish businessman and CEO of a paving company.
The incident occurred after Polish tennis player Kamil Majchrzak won his match. While signing autographs, he took off his cap and attempted to hand it to a young boy in the stands. Before the boy could grab it, Szczerek, who was standing nearby, snatched the cap and put it in his wife’s bag, ignoring the boy’s visible shock and protest.
Majchrzak, who sponsors Poland’s tennis federation, later confirmed Szczerek’s identity but chalked it up to “some kind of confusion.” He admitted he was too tired and excited after the match to realize what had happened until the next day.
The video, which circulated widely online, has led to severe backlash for Szczerek. According to Spanish news outlet MARCA, he has since deactivated his social media accounts. On a Polish job search site, he was heavily criticized, with users calling him a “common thief” and a “shameful jerk.” The incident has drawn condemnation from tennis fans and the general public alike, who have expressed their support for the young boy.
