A MILLIONAIRE businessman who snatched a cap from the hands of a young tennis fan at the US Open has issued a grovelling apology.

In a full mea culpa, Polish magnate Piotr Szczerek said he made “a huge mistake” when he swiped the hat from the youngster’s grasp.

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Polish CEO Piotr Szczerek has issued an apologyCredit: X/@TelAviv2025

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The CEO stood next to the boy and swiped the hatCredit: Eurosport

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He has since broken his silence following the heartless momentCredit: Eurosport

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The kid was visibly devastated when the prize was snatched from his graspCredit: Eurosport
Footage of the incident – captured moments after Kamil Majchrzak’s five-set victory – went viral and saw Szczerek branded the “most hated man on the internet”.

A flurry of fake statements written by hoax accounts impersonating the boss had been circulating online – but the latest post comes from his official long-standing Facebook account.

In the statement, Szczerek, who has also been dubbed the “new Coldplay kisscam CEO”, said he allowed emotion to get the better of him and mistakenly thought the player was gesturing towards him.

And he revealed he has since given the lad – named as Brock – the hat back.

He wrote: “Due to the situation that happened during Kamil Majchrzak’s match at the US Open, I would like to clearly apologize to the injured boy, his family, as well as all the fans and the player himself.

“I have made a huge mistake.”

He continued: “In emotions, in the crowd rejoicing after the victory, I was convinced the tennis player tips his hat in my direction – to my sons who have asked for autographs earlier.

“The misconception caused me to pull out my hand.

US Open kid whose cap was snatched by fan reunited with tennis star
“The hat was given to the boy, and apologies to the family. I hope. Just Partly. I have repaired the hurt that has been done.”

He also clarified that this was his official response, saying: “I also want to make it clear, neither myself, nor my wife, nor my sons have commented on this situation on social media as well as on any portal.

“We have not used the services of any office legal in this regard. All alleged statements appearing online are not ours by.”

Szczerek’s paving company Drogbruk was also struck by a salvo of negative reviews after internet sleuths review-bombed his firm online.

The contractor now boasts a 1.4 star rating on Google Reviews – while the site for the firm on Trustpilot was forced to close “due to media attention”.

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The CEO was seen turning around as the boy pleaded with himCredit: Eurosport

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Internet sleuths identified Szczerek (R)Credit: X/@SceneByAshlix

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The boss was branded the ‘new Coldplay kisscam CEO’Credit: X/@Dexerto
One furious user said: “FIRE THE CEO! I strongly advise against supporting Drogbruk.

“The CEO was caught on live video snatching a prized, signed hat from a child.”

Szczerek added as part of his apology: “For years, my wife and I have been engaged in helping children and young athletes, but this situation has shown I think that one moment of disregard can ruin years of work and support.

“It hurts for me, but a needed lesson in humility.

“I believe that only through actions can rebuild what has been lost trust.”

Footage of the millionaire CEO of Polish paving firm Drogbruk set social media ablaze – with thousands of outraged viewers bashing the boss.

His company faced a barrage of online review-bombing – with his firm’s rating on Google Reviews plummeting overnight to just 1.4 stars.

Majchrzak also confirmed that Szczerek was the man in the viral video – before revealing he sponsors his tennis federation in Poland.

The CEO deleted his social media accounts after facing the torrent of online backlash.

He continued: “Again, I’m sorry to anyone I disappointed. Please understand – for my family’s sake – I decided to turn off the option comments on this post.”

It comes after Polish prodigy Majchrzak, 29, tracked down the lad after footage of the incident went viral online.

The tennis star posted a picture of them together.

Majchrzak said: “It was a very nice meeting.

“I wanted to meet the boy Brock and his family and just try to make things right for him.”

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Majchrzak was made aware of what happened