Millionaire CEO Piotr Szczerek who snatched cap off young boy at US Open apologises: 'I hurt the boy'

The infamous Piotr Szczerek, who went viral for snatching a hat off a young boy at the US Open 2025, has now apologised for his actions. Szczerek, who is a chief executive at a paving firm, was criticized by people around the globe after a video showed him snatching the cap of Kamil Majchrzak, which the Polish tennis player appeared to have offered to a boy in front of him.

Szczerek, who also hails from Poland, was seen taking the cap away from the boy and handing it over to his wife Anna, who kept it inside a bag.

Piotr Szczerek apologises for snatching a cap off a boy

While apologising for his act, the 50-year-old Szczerek wrote on social media: “I would like to unequivocally apologise to the injured boy, his family, as well as all the fans and the player himself.”

“I know I did something that seemed like consciously collecting a memento from a child,” he added. “This wasn’t my intention, but it doesn’t change the fact that I hurt the boy and disappointed the fans.”

Szczerek added that he returned the hat to the boy, which he feels would have “at least partially repaired the damage that was done”.

Tennis star Majchrzak had defended Szczerek’s actions, but clarified that the cap was meant for the boy.

“I was pointing, giving the hat, but I had a lot going on after my match, after being super tired and super excited for the win,” he said.

“I just missed it… I’m sure the guy was also acting in the moment of heat, in the moment of emotions.”

Majchrzak met the boy again over the weekend and posted an Instagram video of him giving the fan a cap and more merchandise.

“Today after warm up, I had a nice meeting,” Majchrzak wrote on Instagram. “Do you recognise [the cap]?”

Szczerek is reportedly a multi-millionaire who has run a paving company, Drogbruk, since 1999 along with his wife. They also sponsor Polish athletes and host local tournaments.