Polish CEO BREAKS SILENCE After Snatching Hat From Little Kid At US Open!

Polish CEO BREAKS SILENCE After Snatching Hat From Little Kid At US Open!

Just days after a shocking video went viral showing Polish CEO Piotr Szczerek aggressively grabbing a signed tennis hat from a young fan at the US Open, the disgraced executive has finally spoken out — and the internet isn’t buying it.

The Incident That Shook the Tennis World

The drama unfolded Tuesday night during the US Open quarterfinals. Following his victory, tennis superstar Carlos Alcaraz tossed his signed cap into the stands — a celebratory gesture meant for a cheering child, later identified as 10-year-old Ethan Parker.

But in a shocking twist caught on camera, Szczerek — then-CEO of Neurovia Technologies — jumped across two rows of seats to intercept the hat, snatching it right out of the air and away from the stunned boy. The moment sparked immediate outrage online, as fans accused the CEO of stealing a precious memento from a child.

Within 24 hours, the clip had racked up millions of views. By the next morning, Szczerek had been identified, shamed, and — most notably — fired by his own company.

Szczerek Breaks His Silence

Now, after days of silence and mounting public pressure, Szczerek has issued a statement on social media — and it’s not exactly being met with open arms.

“In the heat of the moment, I made a mistake. I got caught up in the excitement of the match and acted impulsively. I deeply regret my actions and want to personally apologize to the young fan, his family, and everyone affected by what happened.”

He added that he has reached out to the boy’s family and plans to return the hat.

But for many online, the apology feels like too little, too late.

Public Response: “Sorry You Got Caught”

Social media has not been kind to Szczerek’s statement. Under his Instagram post, thousands of comments flooded in, with users calling the apology “performative,” “embarrassing,” and “PR cleanup 101.”

One user commented,

“You didn’t apologize when you took the hat. You apologized when you lost your job.”

Another wrote:

“Imagine being a CEO and losing everything over a hat meant for a child. What a legacy.”

Even some PR professionals weighed in, criticizing the statement’s lack of direct accountability and suggesting Szczerek should have addressed the child by name and offered restitution more explicitly.

Ethan’s Family Responds

Meanwhile, young Ethan’s family has remained mostly private — but sources close to the situation say they were “disappointed but not surprised” by Szczerek’s behavior.

The US Open organizers, along with Carlos Alcaraz’s team, have since reached out to the family. Alcaraz himself reportedly sent a personalized care package including another signed hat, a jersey, and VIP tickets for next year’s tournament.

A family friend posted on X (formerly Twitter):

“Ethan is doing great — he’s got the support of the tennis world behind him. What he lost in that moment, he gained tenfold in love from the fans.”

Career in Shambles?

As for Szczerek, his future remains uncertain. After being ousted from Neurovia Technologies, sources say several speaking engagements and board positions have quietly been rescinded.

Industry analysts say this may not just be a temporary setback.

“In the tech world, reputation is everything,” says PR strategist Angela Reynolds. “This was more than a lapse in judgment — it was a character test, and he failed it.”

The Internet Doesn’t Forget

From what was supposed to be a wholesome post-match moment to a cautionary tale in seconds, this bizarre saga proves one thing: in the age of viral accountability, there are no small moments.

For now, Piotr Szczerek may have broken his silence — but public trust is a lot harder to earn back than a hat tossed into the stands.