A male tennis fan at the US Open has sparked a huge backlash after appearing to steal a player’s cap from a devastated young boy at the side of the court.
The unsavory incident occurred after Kamil Majchrzak – who had just come through a marathon five-set win over No 9 seed Karen Khachanov – headed off Court 11 on Thursday afternoon.
As is customary for victorious players, the Polish tennis star signed balls and towels for his adoring crowd, including many young fans desperate for a memory they could savor for life.
Majchrzak tried to do exactly that for one young boy in the stands, taking his cap off and handing it to him, while also trying to sign items for others standing nearby.
Inexplicably, a man standing next to the boy was then caught on camera snatching the cap from the boy, before stuffing it out of sight in his bag.
The young boy, clearly devastated at the incident, can be seen saying ‘what are you doing?’, while Majchrzak is oblivious to what has occurred.
Kamil Majchrzak was signing tried to give his cap to a young boy, but a man snatched it away
The devastated young boy can be seen asking ‘what are you doing?’ after the man takes it
The selfish man then stashes the cap in his bag before the player realizes what is happening
Majchrzak issued a plea for his social media followers to help him identify the boy
Majchrzak addressed the controversial incident on Friday, issuing a plea for his social media followers to help him identify the boy.
‘After the match I didn’t record that my cap didn’t get to the boy,’ he wrote on his Instagram story. ‘Thanks to @asicstennis I’ve got enough caps, so I’m prepared for that. Hey guys, could you help me find the kid from my match.Â
‘If it’s you (or your parents see this), please send me a DM.’Â
Fans, unsurprisingly, jumped on the shocking incident, labeling the unnamed adult fan a ‘jerk’ for stealing the prized possession.
Another added: ‘What a terrible man, to snatch it right out of a child’s hand like that.’
A third wrote: ‘Instead of looking for that jerk now, find that kid and let Majchrzak give him something extra.’
The Polish tennis star, 29, is enjoying an unprecedented run of form in recent months, having sealed a best-ever Grand Slam finish at Wimbledon in July, reaching the fourth round before losing to Khachanov.
He got his revenge in New York, though, beating the same player to make it through to the third round – also his best ever result at the event.
His next opponent, Riedi, is only ranked 435th in the world, giving Majchrzak – himself 76th – a brilliant opportunity to progress even further.
