A shocking scene unfolded at the US Open when a man snatched a signed cap directly out of a young fan’s hands right after Polish tennis player Kamil Majchrzak handed it over. The incident, caught on camera and widely shared online, quickly sparked international outrage. The man has since been identified as a senior executive for a Polish paving company.

The Incident Goes Viral

The moment happened on August 28, shortly after Majchrzak’s thrilling five-set victory over Karen Khachanov. As the Polish star walked along the sideline signing autographs, he took off his cap and extended it toward a young boy waiting eagerly by the barrier. Instead of the child receiving the gift, a tall man in sunglasses swooped in, grabbed the hat, and stuffed it into a woman’s bag.

Video clips of the incident spread rapidly on social media, with Barstool Sports posting, “The worst person you know is still a better human than this guy.” The comment summed up the wave of anger flooding the internet, where thousands criticized the act as greedy and shameless.

Majchrzak Steps In

Once Majchrzak learned what had happened, he immediately addressed it on Instagram. “After the match, I didn’t realize my cap didn’t make it to the boy,” he explained. He then asked the public to help him track down the child, assuring fans that he had plenty of caps thanks to his sponsor, Asics.

Within hours, the power of social media worked its magic. The boy was found, and Majchrzak made sure he got a new signed hat. “We got it! All good now,” the athlete later posted, thanking his supporters for helping make things right.

The Man’s Defense

While the boy eventually received his gift, the controversy was far from over. An individual claiming to represent the man defended his actions in a bizarre statement, arguing that he had done “nothing wrong.” The representative even suggested that the act could be viewed as a “lesson in gratitude” for the boy.

“First of all, the cap was not of such value that one could speak of any ‘loss,’” the statement argued. “Ultimately, the child received the cap. Therefore, there was no deprivation.”

In a move many described as arrogant, the statement added: “We set the rules of the game, because we have the means, the knowledge, and the position.”

The Man Identified

Reports later surfaced naming the man as Piotr Szczerek, CEO of the Polish paving company Dogbruk. Prime Timer, a media outlet, claimed Szczerek had disabled comments on his social media accounts following the uproar. His supposed legal team dismissed earlier reports of an apology and doubled down on insisting he had not behaved improperly.

Online Reaction

The internet’s fury shows no signs of slowing. While the boy eventually got his cap, many believe the damage was already done. “This guy deserves international recognition for his shameful behavior,” one commenter wrote. Another quipped that he was “worse than a CEO caught cheating at a concert.”

Some, however, questioned whether the man might have had a personal connection to the boy since he was seen handing the child a marker before the incident. A few suggested withholding judgment until more details came out. Still, the overwhelming reaction has been negative, with the hat-snatcher’s reputation taking a global hit.

What was meant to be a heartwarming moment between an athlete and a young fan has instead become a viral example of selfishness—and a reminder of how quickly public opinion can turn when the cameras are rolling.