Us Open Hat Thief Piotr Szczerek Issues New Statement, Admits It Was a “Huge Mistake”

For those who also audibly gasped at the now viral clip of wealthy businessman, Piotr Szczerek, snatching tennis player Kamil Majchrzak's signed hat out of the hands of a child following a match, we have news for you: the equally viral statement that Piotr supposedly made, in which he seemingly couldn't be less apologetic? It appears to be a fake.

The so-called statement circulated on X soon after the US Open event on 28 August, and read: “The recent incident at the tennis match has caused a disproportionate online uproar. It's all about the famous hat, of course. Yes, I took it. Yes, I did it quickly. But as I've always said, life is first come, first served.”

It ruthlessly continued on to say, “I understand that some people might not like it, but please, let's not make a global scandal out of the hat. It's just a hat. If you were faster, you would have it.”

However, while the primary source of that statement was never confirmed, Piotr has now formally spoken out and apologized for his actions. The CEO said, via his business' account, that he's working hard to make amends and has returned the hat to 10-year-old Brock.

“Due to the situation that occurred during Kamil Majchrzak's match at the US Open, I would like to unequivocally apologize to the boy, his family, all the fans, and the player himself.

“I made a serious mistake. In the midst of emotion, amidst the crowd's celebration after the victory, I was convinced that the tennis player was passing the cap to me—for my sons, who had previously asked for autographs.”

He added, per the BBC, “I know I did something that seemed like consciously collecting a memento from a child. This wasn't my intention, but it doesn't change the fact that I hurt the boy and disappointed the fans.”

Piotr continued on to say he “would like to unequivocally apologize” and said he had returned the hat in the hopes of “at least partially repaired the damage that was done.”