In a shocking moment that left fans furious and the tennis world buzzing, Polish tennis player Kamil Majchrzak turned what could have been a heartbreaking memory for a young boy into a story of kindness, redemption, and the true spirit of sportsmanship.
It all began on a sunny afternoon at the US Open 2025, where Majchrzak had just pulled off one of the biggest upsets of his career, defeating No. 9 seed Karen Khachanov. The 29-year-old was on cloud nine, soaking up the cheers from the crowd and sharing the victory with the fans who had supported him.
But amid the joy, something ugly happened—something caught on camera that would ignite outrage across the globe.
The Snatch That Shocked Fans
As Majchrzak lingered near the stands, signing giant tennis balls, programs, and shirts, one young boy caught his attention. Wide-eyed and brimming with excitement, the boy handed over a massive ball for an autograph.
Clearly touched by his enthusiasm, Majchrzak went a step further. He took off his match-worn hat—a priceless keepsake for any tennis fan—and leaned over to hand it directly to the boy.
But before the child could close his fingers around the gift, disaster struck.
A man standing right next to him snatched the hat away, stuffing it into his wife’s bag as if nothing had happened. Cameras captured the entire exchange: the boy’s face fell, his mouth opened in disbelief, and he could be heard pleading with the man, “What are you doing?”
The adults only laughed nervously and offered him a pen instead.
The moment spread online like wildfire—and the thief was soon identified.
The Hat Thief Exposed
According to multiple reports, the culprit was none other than Piotr Szczerek, a wealthy Polish businessman and CEO of paving company Drogbruk.
Once the video went viral, Szczerek quickly deactivated his social media accounts—but it was too late. Polish fans erupted with fury, flooding job review sites with scathing comments:
“Only an idiot and a jerk could steal from a child.”
“A shameful thief and a disgrace to Poland.”
“You can’t buy class.”
The backlash was swift and merciless. Szczerek, who had built a reputation as a sponsor of sports programs and a supporter of tennis in Poland, found himself branded a villain overnight.
But the internet’s rage wasn’t just about punishing the thief—it was about making sure the boy got the gift he deserved. And that’s when Majchrzak stepped in.
“Help Me Find This Boy”
At first, Majchrzak had no idea what had happened. Focused on greeting fans, he didn’t notice the theft in real time. But once he saw the viral clips and screenshots of the devastated boy, he took immediate action.
“After the match, I didn’t realize my cap didn’t get to the boy,” Majchrzak wrote on Instagram. “Hey guys, could you help me find the kid from my match? If it’s you (or your parents see this), please send me a DM.”
The tennis world mobilized instantly. Fans shared the post across X, Reddit, Instagram, and tennis forums, determined to track down the child. Within just one hour, the mission was complete.
Majchrzak announced, amazed: “Impressed by the power of the internet.”
A Happy Reunion
The next day, Majchrzak met up with the boy—whose name was revealed as Brock—before warming up for his next match. And this time, the gift exchange was uninterrupted.
A video posted to Instagram showed Majchrzak walking over to Brock, giving him a signed cap, snapping photos, and even showering him with additional keepsakes. The boy’s face lit up as his hero bent down to chat warmly with him and his family.
“Today after warm-up, I had a nice meeting,” Majchrzak wrote with a smiley and a hat emoji. “Do you recognize?”
The moment quickly became one of the feel-good highlights of the US Open, proving that decency and kindness can outshine greed.
Fans React: “Disgusting… but Beautiful Ending”
Social media exploded with reactions—both furious at the hat thief and full of praise for Majchrzak.
“Stealing from a child is beyond disgusting. Glad justice was served.” – Reddit user
“That businessman ruined his reputation for life… over a tennis cap.” – X commenter
“Kamil Majchrzak = absolute class act. This is why we love tennis.” – Instagram fan
Even sports journalists joined in, noting that while the theft was shocking, the way the story ended was “pure magic.”
A Bittersweet Twist
Unfortunately for Majchrzak, the fairytale couldn’t extend to the tournament itself. Just a day later, he was forced to retire hurt in his third-round match against Switzerland’s Leandro Riedi, trailing 5–3 in the first set.
Still, many fans said the hat story will be remembered far longer than any single result on the court. In an era where scandals and controversies often dominate headlines, this incident highlighted the power of athletes to inspire and connect—even off the scoreboard.
A Lesson in Sportsmanship
What began as a moment of selfishness and greed turned into a powerful reminder of the good that can come from community, integrity, and the global reach of social media.
Kamil Majchrzak may not have lifted the US Open trophy, but in the eyes of millions, he walked away as a champion of something far greater: compassion, fairness, and the unbreakable bond between athletes and their fans.
In the end, a young boy named Brock will always remember not the stranger who stole from him, but the hero who made it right.
And as one fan put it perfectly:
“The thief tried to ruin a moment. Instead, Majchrzak created a memory that will last forever.”