US Open Tennis: Man Causes Outrage For Actions Towards Child

Tennis has long been regarded as a sport where respect and etiquette matter as much as athleticism. From players applauding an opponent’s winner, to the quiet hush of a crowd during rallies, politeness from everyone involved is more than just a tradition; it’s an expectation.

Yet, one moment after Kamil Majchrzak’s thrilling five-set win over ninth seed Karen Khachanov at the US Open turned that image on its head, sparking anger across the tennis community online.

The Polish player, who had battled through a gruelling second round match on Court 11, moved to thank fans by signing memorabilia and offering his match-worn hat to a young supporter. Just as the boy reached out, though, a grown man snatched the cap from Majchrzak’s hand and ignored the child’s appeals. The boy walked away empty-handed in what quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament on social media.

Video: Man Steals Cap From Young Fan

The moment was clearly captured on video and spread rapidly across all social media platforms. Supporters expressed outrage at the behaviour and praised Majchrzak for showing such generosity in the first place. Determined to put things right, the world number 76 turned to Instagram to track down the boy. Within hours, the tennis community had rallied together and Majchrzak later confirmed that he had managed to identify the fan and ensure a new hat ended up in their hands. Sharing a photo of the initial incident on his story, he wrote: “I am impressed by the power of the internet. We got it! All good now.”

Identity of Man Who Stole Hat Revealed

Attention then turned to the man who had seized the hat. Online investigators quickly identified him as the owner and chief executive of a private paving stone company in Poland. Fans unearthed his social media accounts, which have since had the comment sections disabled after a flood of criticism.

The man in question was later revealed as Piotr Szczerek, who is actually the CEO of Drogbruk, the aforementioned paving company in Poland.

The revelation sparked further backlash, with many arguing that someone in such a position should have shown better manners. The incident has not only generated debate about etiquette at live sporting events, but also highlighted how quickly reputational damage can occur online.

Even though Majchrzak and the young supporter will remember the match for more positive reasons, the story serves as a bigger reminder about respect between fans and players. Tennis crowds are known for their passion, but when moments like this go viral, it shows the importance of allowing children to enjoy the opportunities that make sport so special. Majchrzak’s spirited victory on court will be celebrated by Polish fans, yet his persistence off court to make things right has arguably earned him even greater admiration.

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