A video that captured the moment when Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak triumphantly handed his signed cap to a young fan named Brock—but a well-dressed, astonished child on live TV saw the hat whisked away into the hands of an adult—has sparked shock and outrage across the tennis world. That adult was soon identified as Piotr Szczerek, a Polish millionaire and CEO of the paving company Drogbruk, and his actions have since drawn global attention.
Szczerek has now issued a formal apology, stating he made “a serious mistake” while caught up in the excitement. He explained he believed the autograph was intended for his own sons, who had asked for autographs earlier. Recognizing the hurt caused, he called it “a necessary lesson in humility,” returned the hat to the young fan, and extended sincere apologies to the child’s family, Majchrzak, and the broader public. He also clarified that neither he nor his family had previously commented, and dismissed fake statements circulating online.
Majchrzak himself stepped into the moment, using social media to track down the boy, eventually meeting him and gifting a brand-new signed cap and memorabilia—the reunion posted online as a warm, uplifting response to an unfortunate moment.
The backlash was swift and fierce. Online, Szczerek was dubbed the “most hated man on the internet” and even reluctantly earned the nickname “Coldplay kisscam CEO” in mock reference to another awkward public moment. His company saw a flood of negative reviews, and he deactivated his social media accounts amid the uproar.
In his apology, Szczerek reflected on how one reckless impulse undermined years of goodwill. As someone who, along with his wife, has supported youth sports in Poland, he lamented that a single lapse—driven by emotion—could undo that legacy. He pledged to redouble efforts in charitable work and youth initiatives as a way to rebuild trust and make amends.
The image of Szczerek reaching over a barrier and stuffing the cap into a bag while a distraught Brock looked on remains a strong visual reminder of how quickly a public moment can spiral into controversy—especially when it involves a child and an unexpected breach of public decorum.