A man whose actions at the US Open have sparked widespread backlash has issued an apology after seizing a signed hat from a young fan. The incident, captured on video, shows the individual approaching a child and taking a memento reportedly signed by tennis player Kamill Majchrzak. The footage quickly circulated online, drawing sharp criticism from observers who labeled the behavior as “despicable.”
The suspect, identified as Piotr, later posted a statement on Facebook addressing the incident. “I take full responsibility for my extremely poor judgment and hurtful actions,” he wrote. He explained that he believed Majchrzak was handing him the hat to give to his sons, who had previously requested autographs. “Regardless of what I believed was happening, the actions I took hurt the young boy and disappointed the fans,” he added.
Piotr claimed he returned the hat to the child and extended apologies to the family. He also denied any involvement in social media commentary about the situation, stating, “Neither I nor my wife nor my sons commented on this situation on social media or on any other platform.” The statement emphasized his commitment to supporting children and youth, while acknowledging the incident as a “painful but necessary lesson in humility.”
The tennis player, Majchrzak, reportedly met with the boy afterward, offering him a signed hat and posing for a photo. Piotr’s apology has since been scrutinized, with some questioning its sincerity. The incident highlights tensions around public behavior at sporting events and the consequences of impulsive actions.