THE US Open was hit with another theft storm after a brazen fan appeared to try and grab Jannik Sinner’s bag while still on his back.
The Italian reached the quarter-finals in New York when he packed up his tennis gear before heading back to the locker room.
But as he did so, a fan sitting courtside appeared to try and zip open Sinner’s bag before security quickly intervened.
The World No1 and 2025 Wimbledon winner looked to have been taking a selfie with a fan at the time after giving his towel away to another supporter.
But he shook his head in anger after being alerted to the fan who had tried to open up his bag.
Earlier in the tournament, a Polish millionaire businessman hit unwanted headlines after a controversial cap-nabbing incident.
After shocking Russian No.9 seed Karen Khachanov in the second round last Thursday, Kamil Majchrzak signed autographs for fans in New York.
Majchrzak, who saved five Khachanov match points, was filmed on camera removing his cap and trying to hand it to a child called Brock, who was in the crowd on Court 11.
Yet a brazen onlooker who was stood next to the boy swiped the item instead and quickly stuffed it into his own bag.
Majchrzak, 29, was unaware of the shocking incident at the time and the kid looked devastated as the man next to him left with the piece of sporting memorabilia.
Who is Piotr Szczerek?
by Harvey Geh
INTERNET detectives identified the man who stole tennis star Kamil Majchrzak’s hat from a child at the US Open as Piotr Szczerek.
Footage of the millionaire CEO of Polish paving firm Drogbruk set social media ablaze – with thousands of outraged viewers bashing the boss.
His company faced a barrage of online review-bombing – with his firm’s rating on Google Reviews plummeting overnight to just 1.4 stars.
Majchrzak also confirmed that Szczerek was the man in the viral video – before revealing he sponsors his tennis federation in Poland.
The CEO deleted his social media accounts after facing the torrent of online backlash.
Footage of the incident went viral and sparked outrage on the internet and the guy – who was branded “selfish” and a “jerk” – was allegedly identified as a Polish millionaire CEO.
On Friday, Majchrzak launched an appeal on Instagram to find the boy.
And before his third-round clash with Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi – he retired injured after eight games – he met up with the lad and his family outside the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
A heartwarming clip of the reunion was posted online, showing the pair shaking hands and chatting, before kind-hearted Majchrzak handed over a bag of goodies.
The cap-snatcher was identified as Polish magnate Piotr Szczerek – who later apologized for his actions.
Szczerek – CEO of a paving firm – said he allowed emotion to get the better of him and mistakenly thought the player was gesturing towards him.
And he revealed he has since given the lad – named as Brock – the hat back.
He wrote: “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.
“I have made a huge mistake.”
He continued: “In emotions, in the crowd rejoicing after the victory, I was convinced the tennis player tips 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.”
The disgraced company boss also added: “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.”
The CEO stood next to the boy and swiped the hat[/caption]
He has since broken his silence following the heartless moment[/caption]
The kid was visibly devastated when the prize was snatched from his grasp[/caption]
