Piotr Szczerek has allegedly issued a statement after snatching the hat of tennis player Kamil Majchrzak from a young boy at the US Open.
A video went viral on social media this week showing Polish star Majchrzak interacting with fans before offering a child the cap he had been wearing during his five-set win over Karen Khachanov in the second round.
A man next to the boy – who multiple media outlets have named as Szczerek, the Polish CEO of a paving company called Drogbruk – is then seen taking the hat before the child had a chance to grab it himself.
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.
Szczerek, who has faced criticism from many tennis fans on social media for his behaviour, has now allegedly defended his actions in a statement on Gowork.pl – a Polish jobs search site – and has threatened legal action.
The Times of India reported on Sunday: ‘According to Reddit, the CEO has released a statement on the Gowork platform defending what he did. However, it’s not confirmed whether the statement now going viral in his name was actually issued by him.’
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.’
Majchrzak meets young fan after US Open cap snatching viral video
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.
