The incident unfolded as Polish tennis player Kamil Majchrzak celebrated his thrilling five-set win over ninth seed Karen Khachanov. After the win, Majchrzak was signing autographs for fans when he removed his hat and tried to hand it to a boy in the stands. But before the child could grab it, Szczerek standing nearby snatched the souvenir and stashed it in his wife’s bag — ignoring the boy’s protest of, “What are you doing?”
The boy is seen pleading to get the cap back but wealthy businessman Szczerek – a multi-millionaire – appeared to give it to his wife, who put it in her bag.
ALSO READ: US Open scandal: Polish millionaire CEO Piotr Szczerek branded ‘new Coldplay kisscam CEO’ by internet
On the CEO’s impish behavior, Kamil said he thinks the CEO did it in the heat of the moment. “I don’t want to say something wrong, because I know how viral it went. But what I think is he was also acting in the moment of emotions, in the heat of the moment, and probably when he realised what happened, it was already too late. I mean that’s pretty much it. This wasn’t right, but what’s gone is gone.I mean, we fixed it, everybody’s happy now, and I think it’s time to put it behind for everyone,” Kamil said.
Has Piotr Szczerek issued a statement?
Piotr Szczerek has reportedly reacted to the online hate he and his company are getting after the backlash. According to Reddit, the millionaire CEO has reportedly released a statement on Gowork platform defending what he did, as per a TOI report. But confirmed whether the statement now going viral in his name was actually issued by him. Economic Times cannot independently verify the statement.
In the purported statement, he admitted that he snatched the hat from the kid but there is nothing wrong as he was quicker than the child, he said. The millionaire CEO has now allegedly defended his actions in a statement on Gowork.pl – a Polish jobs search site – and has threatened legal action.ALSO READ: Why is Polish millionaire and CEO Piotr Szczerek facing backlash? US Open controversy in 10 points
Szczerek’s alleged statement, translated into English, reads: “The recent incident at the tennis match has caused a disproportionate online uproar.
“It’s all about the famous hat, of course. Yes, I took it. Yes, I did it quickly. But as I’ve always said, life is first come, first served. “I understand that some people might not like it, but please, let’s not make a global scandal out of the hat. It’s just a hat. “If you were faster, you would have it. Regarding online hate, I remind you that insulting a public figure is subject to legal liability.
“All offensive comments, slander, and insinuations will be analysed for the possibility of taking the matter to court. In the end, chin up, hats off, less venom, more sportsmanship.”
Kamil Majchrzak’s heartwarming gesture
Tennis star Kamil Majchrzak, who was signing the hats, took note of the viral video and urged the Internet to unite him with his young fan. He met the child, identified as Brock, and gave him a signed hat and some other gifts.
ALSO READ: US Open uproar: Polish millionaire Piotr Szczerek vanishes from social media after snatching child’s signed hat
Polish tennis player Majchrzak has since met up with the young boy who had the cap snatched and gave him a new hat after the incident went viral. Majchrzak shared Instagram stories on Saturday showing him meeting two young fans – presenting them with gifts – including a cap similar to the one he tried to hand to the child in the viral video.
‘Today after [my] warm up, I had a nice meeting,’ Majchrzak wrote, adding: ‘Do you recognise [the cap]?’ Majchrzak posted a photo of himself standing and smiling next to the boy wearing the cap too.
‘Hello World, together with Brock we wish you a great day!’ Majchrzak’s caption said. Majchrzak, ranked world No.76, was eventually eliminated in the third round of the men’s singles at the US Open with Leandro Riedi handed a walkover victory on Saturday.
ALSO READ: Kamil Majchrzak saves young fan from heartbreak at US open and his touching gesture is viral. Who is the rising tennis star?
as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
