The CEO Who Snatched a Kid’s Hat at the US Open Just Got a Taste of Instant Karma
Earlier this summer, a CEO was left red-faced after getting caught cheating on camera during a Coldplay concert. Now, another executive has found himself under fire; this time, at a courtside.
At the US Open, a tennis player’s simple act of generosity to a young fan was completely derailed when a man stepped in, took something that wasn’t his, and sparked outrage that spread across the internet.
A Post-Match Gift Turned into a Viral Moment
After a hard-fought win over Karen Khachanov, Kamil Majchrzak walked over to the stands to thank fans. He took off his hat, signed it, and reached out to hand it to a boy standing near the front. Just as the child lifted his arm to take it, a man beside him leaned in and grabbed the souvenir first. The boy, clearly confused, looked up and asked, “What are you doing?” The man didn’t respond.
Instead, he placed the hat inside a bag and casually returned to ask for another autograph. The moment, caught on video, spread across social media within hours.
The Man’s Identity Revealed
It didn’t take long for people online to identify the man as Piotr Szczerek, CEO of the Polish construction firm Drogbruk. His name was already known within the tennis community due to his sponsorship of Poland’s tennis federation.
His sponsorship meant he had direct ties to the sport and could hardly plead ignorance of the culture around it.
Majchrzak Took Steps to Fix It
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Carine06
Though Majchrzak claims he didn’t notice the moment as it happened, he later saw the footage and decided to act. He contacted the boy’s family and arranged a second meeting, during which he personally gave the young fan another signed hat.
The meeting was filmed and posted online, and Majchrzak’s thoughtful gesture was praised. His response helped turn attention back toward the spirit of the game and the importance of keeping fans, especially young ones, at the center of those moments.
Where the CEO is concerned, news outlets picked up the footage, and talk shows dedicated time to discussing what it said about public behavior and accountability. In Poland, Szczerek faced particular scrutiny.
Online forums filled with users calling him everything from reckless to selfish. He eventually deactivated his social media accounts. No charges were announced, but the public message was clear: taking what’s not yours, especially when a child is involved, won’t go unnoticed, no matter your status or title.