CEO who took star's gift to boy: I made a huge mistake

A man who snatched a hat gifted by tennis star Kamil Majchrzak to a young boy at the US Open last week has been identified as Polish millionaire Piotr Szczerek.

- JACK RATHBORN

Majchrzak had just defeated ninth seed Karen Khachanov before the incident on Thursday, the video of which, showing the tennis star signing autographs and then removing his cap for a young boy named Brock, quickly went viral.

Mr Szczerek has now released a lengthy statement apologising for his actions and the "grave mistake" he made at Flushing Meadows.

He said: "Due to the situation that occurred during Kamil Majchrzak's match at the US Open, I would like to unequivocally apologise to the injured boy, his family, all the fans, and the player himself.

"I made a grave 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. This mistaken belief caused me to instinctively reach out.