In brief
At the US Open, Piotr Szczerek, a Polish CEO, faced public backlash after snatching a hat from a young fan during a match. He later issued a public apology, acknowledging his actions as a 'huge mistake.' This incident underscores the themes of impulse and responsibility, as well as the pressures of social media scrutiny. Tennis player Kamil Majchrzak, who was involved in the incident, also expressed understanding of the confusion that transpired.
The man who was caught on camera snatching a hat off a young boy at the US Open has said he made a 'huge mistake' after footage of the incident went viral.
Piotr Szczerek, a Polish chief executive of a paving firm, said he was 'convinced' tennis star Kamil Majchrzak had been 'passing his hat in my direction'.
'I know I did something that seemed like consciously collecting a memento from a child,' he wrote in a statement. 'This wasn't my intention, but it doesn't change the fact that I hurt the boy and disappointed the fans.'
The video, taken during Majchrzak's match on Thursday, showed the tennis player offering his cap to a child, before Mr. Szczerek appears to take it.
Versions of the clip were shared widely on social media and prompted harsh criticism of Mr. Szczerek's actions.
The CEO wrote on social media on Monday: 'I would like to unequivocally apologize to the injured boy, his family, as well as all the fans and the player himself.'
He added that he had given the hat back to the boy and hoped that it had 'at least partially repaired the damage that was done'.
Majchrzak, who had just won his match against Russian ninth seed Karen Khachanov when the incident unfolded, told the New York Post on Saturday that 'obviously it was some kind of confusion'.
'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,' he said.
'I just missed it. 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.'
The tennis star reunited with the boy over the weekend, sharing clips of him giving the young fan a cap and other merchandise on Instagram.
Majchrzak, ranked 76th in the world in men's singles, came back from two sets down to beat Khachanov in a second-round match at Flushing Meadows, but was forced to retire injured during the first set of his third-round tie against Switzerland's Leandro Riedi on Saturday.
He later confirmed he had torn an intercostal muscle.
