“A LESSON IN HUMILITY…”
Millionaire CEO Piotr Szczerek — the US Open hat snatcher who went viral for ripping a signed cap from a young boy — has now issued a grovelling public apology 👑💔.
👉 But after his shocking act spread worldwide, will fans forgive him… or has the damage already been done? 🔥👀
The Polish CEO who was caught on camera snatching a signed hat off a child at the US Open admitted he made a “serious mistake” after viral footage turned him into an international villain.
Piotr Szczerek, the boss of paving stone company Drogbruk, said he believed tennis star Kamil Majchrzak was signing the hat for him to give to his sons when he appeared to grab the cap from the little boy.
“I would like to unequivocally apologise to the boy who was harmed, his family, as well as all the fans and the player himself,” Szczerek wrote on Instagram. “I made a serious mistake.
“In the emotions, in the crowd’s joy after the victory, I was convinced that the tennis player was handing the cap in my direction — for my sons, who had earlier asked for autographs,” he added.
“It is a painful but necessary lesson in humility for me.”Szczerek, who has been at the centre of outrage after the video went viral last week, said he has apologised to the boy and his family for his actions.
He also claimed that neither he nor his family have made any statements regarding the incident prior to Monday — debunking viral posts that have been made in recent days pretending to be him and mocking the situation.
The fallout led to Szczerek’s countrymen blasting him on a Polish job search site as a “sack of garbage,” “common thief,” “primitive scammer” and “shameful jerk.”
But he claims that it was just a mistake during the excitement over his fellow countryman’s win.
“For years, together with my wife, I have been involved in helping children and young athletes, but this situation showed me that one moment of carelessness can undo years of work and support,” the Polish millionaire wrote.
“Therefore, I will engage even more actively in initiatives supporting children and youth, as well as in actions against violence and hate,” he added. “I believe that only through deeds can I rebuild the lost trust.
“Once again, I apologise to everyone I have let down.”
Majchrzak, who had just won his match against Russian ninth seed Karen Khachanov when the incident occurred, told The Post over the weekend that the whole situation was the result of “some kind of confusion.” The tennis star pointed out that Szczerek sponsors his tennis federation in Poland, adding that the hectic celebration over his win likely caused the now-viral snafu.
I was pointing, giving the hat, but I had a lot going on after my match, after being super-tired and super-excited for the win. I just missed it,” Majchrzak said.
“I had, like, a dead look, if you know what I mean. I’m sure the guy was also acting in the moment of heat, in the moment of emotions,” he added.
Majchrzak was able to meet up with the boy on Saturday to apologise and give him a new signed hat and other gifts, with the child grinning from ear to ear.
