Kamil Majchrzak forced to retire at US Open, after meeting young fan whose signed hat was snatched by millionaire Polish CEO Piotr Szczerek

Kamil Majchrzak’s US Open campaign came to an end after he was forced to retire from his match against Leandro Riedi after tearing an intercostal muscle. The 29-year-old, the world’s no.76, announced the setback on Instagram, telling fans the pain was too severe to continue despite his efforts to push through. Kamil wrote, “A quick update: I have teared intercostal muscle and I was forced to retired today.” He continued, “Playing at US Open requires the best from us- tennis players- and today I just haven’t been able to compete.”

The injury comes just days after Majchrzak made headlines for an entirely different reason, a viral courtside controversy involving a young fan(named Brock). Following his stunning five-set upset over No. 9 seed Karen Khachanov on Thursday, August 28, Majchrzak stopped to sign autographs and offered his hat to a boy in the stands. At that moment, a man standing nearby snatched the hat and placed it in a companion’s bag, leaving the child visibly upset.

The heartbroken young star seemed to yell in frustration towards the man while he appeared to laugh, “What are you doing?”


The video of the incident, widely circulated online Thursday and Friday, sparked outrage across social media. The man was later identified as the Polish millionaire CEO Piotr Szczerek, reported by the New York Post.

Majchrzak eventually met the boy and shared the moment on Instagram, turning a sour episode into a heartwarming gesture before his tournament run came to an abrupt end due to injury.

Who is Polish CEO Piotr Szczerek?

Piotr Szczerek is a Polish businessman who co-founded a company called Drogbruk in 1999 with his wife, Anna. Drogbruk specializes in paving and is recognized for its landscaping solutions, sports sponsorships, and community programs that support young athletes. The company is known for sponsoring local sports initiatives and providing support to Polish tennis players, including Piotr Matuszewski.

Fans reaction

Online reactions to Piotr Szczerek's behavior were extremely harsh. Some called him shameful, while others suggested he should be banned from tennis events. Several individuals predicted long-term damage to his reputation and that of his company.