New York, August 31, 2025 – The 2025 US Open took a dramatic turn off the court when Polish CEO Piotr Szczerek snatched a signed hat meant for a young fan during a post-match celebration, triggering a social media firestorm and calls for accountability. The incident, which unfolded after Kamil Majchrzak’s epic victory on August 30, has put a spotlight on fan conduct and the power of online backlash.

Chaos at Court 11

The controversy erupted on Court 11 at Flushing Meadows after Polish tennis player Kamil Majchrzak clinched a stunning 2-6, 6-7 (7-4), 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) win over ninth seed Karen Khachanov. As Majchrzak, ranked 76th globally, signed autographs for fans, he tossed his match-worn hat toward a young boy named Brock, who was holding a giant tennis ball for an autograph. Before Brock could grab the prized keepsake, Piotr Szczerek, a courtside spectator, intercepted it and handed it to his wife, Anna, who tucked it away. The moment, caught on live broadcast, showed Brock’s shock as he protested, “What are you doing?” while Szczerek appeared to laugh it off.

The video exploded online, racking up millions of views on X, Instagram, and YouTube. Internet users quickly identified Szczerek as the CEO of Drogbruk, a Polish paving company he co-founded with his wife in 1999. Social media erupted with condemnation, labeling Szczerek’s actions “shameless” and “entitled.” One X user fumed, “Stealing a kid’s moment like that? Low doesn’t even begin to cover it.” Others called for the US Open to bar him from future events, with hashtags like #HatSnatcher and #JusticeForBrock trending.

Szczerek’s Defiant Defense

Instead of apologizing, Szczerek issued a statement, reportedly on Gowork.pl, that only fanned the flames. Translated, it read: “The hat incident has been blown out of proportion. Yes, I took it. Life is first come, first served. It’s just a hat—let’s not make it a global crisis. To those spreading hate, remember that defaming a public figure has legal consequences.” The unapologetic response, coupled with legal threats, intensified public fury. Drogbruk’s online ratings tanked to 1.1 stars on platforms like Trustpilot, with reviewers slamming Szczerek’s “arrogance” and calling for boycotts. “No one’s paving their driveway with Drogbruk after this,” one review quipped.

Szczerek deactivated his social media accounts as the backlash grew, but the damage was done. His company faced a wave of review-bombing, with comments like “Classless CEO, classless business” flooding review sites. Some fans even contacted the USTA, demanding Szczerek be banned from the tournament.

Majchrzak Steps Up

Kamil Majchrzak, unaware of the incident amid the post-match chaos, learned of it through the viral video. The tennis star took swift action, posting on Instagram Stories: “I didn’t realize my cap didn’t reach the boy … Can you help me find him?” Within an hour, thanks to social media sleuths, Majchrzak connected with Brock. On August 31, he met the young fan at the US Open, gifting him a new signed hat, extra memorabilia, and a photo op. Majchrzak’s Instagram post, captioned “Hello world, together with Brock. We wish you a great day!” with a smiling photo of the pair, won hearts online. Fans praised his class, with one writing, “Kamil’s a true champion, on and off the court.”

In an interview with The New York Post, Majchrzak explained that Szczerek sponsors Poland’s tennis federation and described the incident as a “misunderstanding.” He noted, “I was exhausted and caught up in the moment after the match. I didn’t see what happened.” His gracious response contrasted sharply with Szczerek’s, earning him widespread admiration.

Fallout and Reflection

Reports on August 31 suggested Szczerek expressed private regret and was seeking to make amends, though no public apology has surfaced. Tenis Magazyn previously highlighted Szczerek and his wife as tennis enthusiasts who play in Poland’s amateur leagues, but their reputation now lies in tatters. The incident has sparked debates about privilege, sportsmanship, and the role of social media in public shaming. While Brock walked away with a new hat and a memorable moment with Majchrzak, Szczerek faces ongoing scrutiny as Drogbruk battles a PR nightmare.

As the US Open rolls on through September 7, this courtside drama serves as a reminder: in the age of viral videos, every action counts, and the internet never forgets.