The CEO who was criticised online for allegedly snatching a boy's signed cap at the US Open has now apologised over the incident.
Following his victory against Karen Khachanov on Thursday (28 August), Polish sports star Kamil Majchrzak walked over to Court 11 to sign some autographs for the fans.
One boy, however, was left crying after a grown man appeared to 'snatch' his cap from him, as shown in the viral clip circulating around social media.
After learning what happened, Majchrzak identified the man as Polish CEO Piotr Szczerek, of paving company Drogbruk.
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“After the match, I didn’t get to record that my cap didn’t get to the boy,” the tennis player said on social media before managing to meet with the young fan, Brock.
"Hello world, together with Brock, we wish you a great day," he wrote alongside a picture of the pair shared on Instagram.
Majchrzak later claimed that Szczerek attempted to make amends with the fan and his family.
“Obviously it was some kind of confusion,” he said.
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“He also wanted to make things right, so I gave him the credentials for Brock’s mom on the same social media I was using to contact her.
“So, maybe he can make things right himself.”
Now addressing the backlash, Szczerek issued a full apology on social media today (1 September).
A statement shared on Facebook read: "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.
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"I have made a huge mistake."
He added: "In emotions, in the crowd rejoicing after the victory, I was convinced the tennis player tipped his hat in my direction - to my sons who have asked for autographs earlier.
"The misconception caused me to pull out my hand.
"Today I know I did something that looked like a deliberate collection of the child's souvenir."
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The CEO also said: "This was not my intention, but it doesn't change the fact I hurt the boy and disappointed the fans.
"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."
It continued: "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 legal office in this regard. All alleged statements appearing online are not ours."
Topics: World News, US News, Sport, Viral
Anish Vij