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A viral moment from the US Open has cast unexpected global attention on Polish entrepreneur Piotr Szczerek and his company Drogbruk. The controversy began when a video showed Szczerek snatching a signed cap from tennis player Kamil Majchrzak, which was originally intended for a young fan in the crowd.
The clip spread quickly across social media, triggering widespread backlash. Many fans criticized Szczerek’s behavior and even urged the tournament to bar him from future events. Others pledged to boycott his company, Drogbruk, for what they called an act of selfishness.
Piotr Szczerek co-founded Drogbruk in 1999 along with his wife, Anna. Based in Poland, the company specializes in paving, landscaping, and fencing. It has gained a reputation for reliability and professionalism, handling everything from patios and driveways to decorative garden stones. Drogbruk is also known for supporting sporting events and youth athlete programs.
Despite the company’s prominence in its sector, little is known publicly about Szczerek and his wife beyond their business ties.
The controversy unfolded after Kamil Majchrzak’s surprise victory over ninth seed Karen Khachanov. Following his win, Majchrzak walked toward the stands to hand a signed cap to a young boy named Brock. Just before the child could receive it, Szczerek reached over, grabbed the cap, and placed it in his partner’s bag.
The act immediately sparked outrage. Online users accused Szczerek of robbing a child of a special sports moment, with some going as far as to call his behavior disgraceful and entitled.
Determined to make things right, Majchrzak took to social media, asking fans, “Could you help me find the kid from my match?” Thanks to online support, the young fan was located within a day.
Majchrzak later reunited with Brock, inviting him back to the stadium. He gifted the boy a new signed cap, additional tennis merchandise, and posed for a cheerful photo, which he shared online with the message: “Hello World, together with Brock we wish you a great day!” The reunion video quickly went viral, with many praising Majchrzak for his sportsmanship and commitment to his fans.
On the other hand, Szczerek faced a wave of criticism online. Social media users ridiculed him, calling his actions selfish and embarrassing. One post read: “The individual seen in the video has been publicly recognized as Piotr Szczerek, the proprietor of the Polish paving company Drogbruk. He’s a thief and will regret this for the rest of his life.” Another commenter mocked him, writing: “Who steals a cap off a child at the tennis? Piotr Szczerek, your life is about to change, not for the better.”
While Szczerek’s actions damaged his reputation and drew widespread condemnation, Majchrzak’s thoughtful gesture highlighted the value of kindness, accountability, and true sportsmanship. The incident has also sparked broader conversations about ethics and fan behavior at major sporting events, showing how one small act can influence public opinion and affect not only individuals but also businesses and athletes linked to them.
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