THE plush life of Polish millionaire Piotr Szczerek has been exposed after he was caught on camera snatching a cap from a young tennis fan at the US Open.
The businessman was slammed online and forced into a grovelling apology on Monday, admitting he made “a huge mistake” in the viral moment.
The tycoon lives in a modern luxurious villa in an upmarket corner of a historic Polish village – dubbed the “village of millionaires” by locals – with his wife Anna and their two sons, aged ten and 12, according to the Daily Mail.
The gated property, complete with its own private lake and tennis court, is valued at more than two million zloty (£406,000) – around ten times the Polish national average.
The couple are heavily involved in tennis, owning Calisia Tenis Pro, a club 40 miles from their home, where they have been pictured helping out at tournaments.
Pictures also suggest they are close to retired Polish star Urszula Radwanska, who is said to drop by their house for a game.
Szczerek’s landscape and concrete business, Drogbruk, also sponsors the Polish Tennis Association.
In the statement, Szczerek – nicknamed the “new Coldplay kiss-cam CEO” – said he let his emotions get the better of him and mistakenly thought the player was gesturing towards him.
He added he has since returned the hat to the boy, named Brock.
Szczerek 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.
“This misconception caused me to pull out my hand. Today I know I did something that looked like deliberately collecting the child’s souvenir.”
The 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.”
Szczerek’s company, Drogbruk, came under fire, with Google Reviews slumping to just 1.4 stars.
Its Trustpilot page even had to be shut down “due to media attention”.
Szczerek added in his statement: “For years, my wife and I have been engaged in helping children and young athletes, but this situation has shown me that a single moment of indifference can destroy years of work and support.
“It hurts for me, but a needed lesson in humility. That’s why I will be even more actively involved in initiatives that support children and adolescents and actions against violence and hate.”
He continued: “Again, I’m sorry to anyone I disappointed. Please understand – for my family’s sake – I decided to turn off the option comments on this post.”
It comes after Polish prodigy Majchrzak, 29, met the boy and handed a bag of merchandise to him before the pair posted for a photo together.
The caption read: “Hello World, Together with Brock we wish you a great day!”
Speaking to SunSport, Majchrzak said: “It was a very nice meeting.
“I wanted to meet the boy Brock and his family and just try to make things right for him.”
He added that fans should now ease off Szczerek, saying he took the hat “in the heat of the moment”.
“I don’t want to say something wrong, because I know how viral it went,” he said.
“But what I think is he was also acting in the moment of emotions, in the heat of the moment, and probably when he realised what happened, it was already too late.”
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