Polish tennis player Kamil Majchrzak has been hailed as a “class act” after stepping in to resolve a viral incident involving a young fan at the US Open.
The 29-year-old world No. 75 stunned No. 9 seed Karen Khachanov in a thrilling five-set battle on Thursday, coming from two sets down to claim victory 2-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(5). But it was what happened after the match on Court 11 that captured the internet’s attention.
As Majchrzak made his way to the stands to sign autographs, he removed his Asics cap and handed it toward a boy in the crowd. However, viral footage showed a much older spectator snatching the cap away before the child could keep it, sparking outrage online. The clip quickly spread across social media, with viewers branding the adult’s actions “disgusting” and “bullying.”
“Maturity doesn’t come with age, but with acts,” one critic wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Another fumed: “How could anyone take a gift meant for a child?”
Majchrzak himself soon took to Instagram to address the situation. In a heartfelt post, he shared photos of the boy and asked the public for help tracking him down. “After the match I didn’t get to record that my cap didn’t get to the boy,” he explained. “Thanks to @asicstennis I’ve got enough caps, so I’m prepared for that. If it’s you (or your parents see this), please send me a DM.”
The appeal worked. Just hours later, Majchrzak returned with an update confirming the child had been found. “I am impressed by the power of the Internet,” he wrote. “We got it! All good now,” adding salute and thumbs-up emojis.
Fans rushed to praise the gesture, with one writing: “Kamil Majchrzak won the hearts of fans around the world when he asked on Instagram for contact with the robbed boy to compensate him for his loss.” Others called him a “legend” and a “gentleman,” while one added: “What a class gesture. Absolute brilliance, you need people like this in the world.”
Following the release of the footage, X users have managed to identify the man as the CEO of a Polish paving company, Piotr Szczere.
The controversy may be settled, but Majchrzak’s tournament continues. He faces qualifier Leandro Riedi of Switzerland on Friday in the third round, with the chance to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.
Win or lose, the Polish star has already ensured his name will be remembered in New York, for both his on-court resilience and his off-court kindness.