A grand slam can bring the heat, but sometimes it’s not just on the court! On Thursday, after Kamil Majchrzak defeated Karen Khachanov, an unexpected moment unfolded in the stands. As the Polish player left the court, signing hats, tennis balls, and more, he decided to give his match-worn hat to a young boy. But before the boy could grab it, a man standing next to him literally snatched the cap for himself! The internet erupted over the move, but the man later shared his side of the story.

After the win, Majchrzak was signing autographs when he took off his hat and tried to hand it to a boy in the crowd. Suddenly, the man nearby grabbed the hat and slipped it into his wife’s bag, ignoring the boy’s protest of, “What are you doing?” The man has been identified as Piotr Szczerek. He’s a Polish businessman and CEO of the paving company Drogbruk.

Szczerek kept a low international profile until the 2025 US Open incident. The viral video of the hat snatch sparked backlash, with many calling his behavior selfish and a blow to Drogbruk’s reputation. Szczerek didn’t take it lightly. On August 31, he posted via an X user, “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.”

He added, “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 analyzed for the possibility of taking the matter to court.”

Piotr Szczerek’s career is closely tied to his wife, Anna, who was with him at the US Open. They co-founded Drogbruk in 1999. Together, they built the company into a leading name in Poland’s pavement and landscaping market. Anna pushes the business forward, expanding into pave stones, concrete slabs, and fencing systems. Their partnership is dynamic, making Drogbruk a trusted brand in the industry.

Outside of business, the Szczereks keep family life private. They share little about their children or personal affairs. But they are known as a hardworking, entrepreneurial couple. Their bond flows from business into everyday life. Together, they’ve shaped Drogbruk’s reputation for excellence, cementing their family name in Poland’s construction world. Despite the viral controversy, fans can relax. The kid got the hat he deserved. Kamil Majchrzak later met the boy and gave him a signed hat as well!

Polish tennis star speaks on the hat controversy at the US Open

After his thrilling win over the ninth seed, Majchrzak spoke up about the viral mix-up on Thursday night. He told The Post Saturday that the confusion was with Szczerek, a fan who supports Poland’s tennis federation. “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. I had like a dead look if you know what I mean,” Majchrzak explained. It was one of those moments where the excitement and exhaustion collided, and Szczerek was feeling it too.

Keen to make things right, Majchrzak turned to social media, asking, “Could you help me find the kid from my match?” The search was a success. When they finally met, Majchrzak gave Brock a signed replacement cap along with some special gifts, earning plenty of applause for his heartfelt gesture amidst the tournament’s intensity.

Majchrzak shared the heartwarming reunion online, writing, “Today after warm up I had a nice meeting,” complete with a hands-up emoji, and then asked, “Do you recognize?” followed by a hat emoji. The clip captured Brock’s proud smile as he popped the hat on his head, sharing the moment with his mom. A photo of the pair soon followed, with Brock beaming in his prized new cap.

“Hello World, Together with Brock we wish you a great day!” Majchrzak posted, spreading those good vibes far and wide. With that cheerful chapter closed, the US Open is now charging into the round of 16, where the fight to reach the quarterfinals is seriously heating up. For all the drama and updates, tune into the EssentiallySports Live Blog!