This grand mansion belongs to a disgraced millionaire, a Polish paving magnate, who infamously took a hat from a young fan at the US Open—a hat signed by a player—and this property even boasts a tennis court in its backyard.

Piotr Szczerek, the ultra-wealthy CEO, earned the title of ‘most hated man on the internet’ following an incident caught on camera, where he was seen taking a hat autographed by Kamil Majchrzak from a child.

The high-flying landscape and concreting boss issued a grovelling apology on Monday when he was identified claiming he had made a ‘huge mistake’.

The Daily Mail can now disclose that this businessman resides in a plush, modern villa located in a chic area of a historic Polish village, where he lives with his wife Anna and their two sons, aged ten and twelve.

Their home is nestled in what locals call the ‘village of millionaires’ and has its own private lake as well as a tennis court on which the couple invites seasoned pros to play.

The gated property, which is set back on a huge, manicured lawn, is worth more than two million Polish zloty (£406,000) – ten times the national average in Poland.

Around a 40-mile drive away from their property is Calisia Tenis Pro, a tennis club owned by the well-off couple.

Amid the crisis, Mr Szczerek broke his silence to say he had been convinced Polish tennis star Majchrzak had been ‘passing his hat’ to him.

Piotr Szczerek – dubbed ‘the most hated man on the internet’ after snatching a player’s signed cap from a young boy at the US Open – lives in this sprawling mansion in Poland

Mr Szczerek and his wife Anna live in the luxurious modern villa – complete with a tennis court in the back garden – in a small upmarket enclave known by locals as a ‘village of millionaires’

Mr Szczerek, a landscaping and paving tycoon, was caught on camera swiping a hat signed by Kamil Majchrzak from a young boy at the US Open, leaving the child in tears

Since the incident, thousands of people online have called out Mr Szczerek for his behaviour – with the CEO on Monday coming out to apologise in a statement 

Mr Szczerek’s wife Anna (right) was also with him at the US Open when the incident happened. She is a big tennis fan and invited ex-pro Urszula Radwanska to play with her on her birthday

He said: ‘In connection with the situation that happened during Kamil Majchrzak’s match at the US Open, I would like to unequivocally apologise to the injured boy, his family, as well as all the fans and the player himself. I have made a huge mistake.

‘Emotionally, in the crowd cheering after the victory, I was convinced that the tennis player was passing his hat in my direction – for my sons who had asked for autographs earlier. This misconception caused me to pull out my hand.

‘Today I know I did something that seemed like consciously collecting a memento from a child. This wasn’t my intention, but it doesn’t change the fact that I hurt the boy and disappointed the fans.’

Mr Szczerek is a well-known businessman in his native Poland and is an active member of the country’s tennis scene.

His landscape and concrete business, Drogbruk, sponsors the Polish Tennis Association, while keen tennis players Mr Szczerek and his wife Anna have a court at the back of their mansion.

The couple are even good friends with retired Polish tennis ace Urszula Radwanska who comes round to play at their house.

Pictures from the last five years show Mr Szczerek and his wife helping out at tournaments at Calisia Tenis Pro.

He 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.

‘I believe that only through actions can I rebuild the trust that has been lost. Again, I’m sorry to anyone I disappointed.’

He confirmed that this was his first statement after fake ones from fake lawyers were circulating on social media. 

The shocking incident happened as Polish player Majchrzak approached the crowd on Court 11 after the biggest win of his career so far.

The couple’s gated property, which is set on a huge, manicured lawn, is worth more than two million Polish zloty – ten times the national average in Poland

Mr Szczerek’s landscape and concrete business Drogbruk sponsors the Polish Tennis Association – while the couple have hosted professional tennis players at their private court 

The Polish tennis star – the country’s number 2, Kamil Majchrzak – tried to give his cap to the boy known only as Brock, but Szczerek snatched it away quickly

Majchrzak was seen signing his cap and handing it to the child, before Mr Szczerek swiped the hat from the boy’s hands and placed it in the bag of his beaming wife.

The child looked on helplessly as the business tycoon tried to get a water bottle and tennis ball signed by the rising sports star.

Mr Szczerek has previous spoken of his and his wife’s obsession for the game.

During an interview in 2021 with a local tennis magazine, Mr Szczerek said: ‘I’m constantly seeking challenges and inspiration, so new disciplines have entered my life: running, tennis, and triathlon.

‘The skills required for these disciplines are also very useful in business, and at the same time, sport is a fantastic escape for me.

‘Now I’m thinking about completing an Iron Man competition. I’m constantly setting myself new sporting goals, but this will probably be the pinnacle and crowning achievement of my passion.’

Speaking of the time Urszula Radwanska, the sister of former world number two and Wimbledon finalist Agnieszka Radwanska, visited their house, Mrs Szczerek added: ‘It was the most wonderful gift of my life. Our employees came up with the idea, and my husband helped them implement it.

‘They invited Ula Radwanska to my birthday party to play a match. From that, a rather close friendship with her and her partner was born.’

The amateur tennis players compete in local tennis leagues, with their company sponsoring the Polish Tennis Association.

Since taking up tennis, Mr Szczerek has risen to the second division of the amateur Kalisz Tennis Association.

His company – which was founded in 1999 and has its HQ in Błaszki, about 155 miles west of Warsaw – reportedly sponsors a number of local sports programmes as well as rising young tennis players.

Since the incident, thousands of people online have called out the couple for their behaviour, with the CEO being branded ‘most hated man on the internet’.

Even politicians in their home country of Poland have spoken out against the clip. Left-wing MP Anita Kucharska-Dziedzic said on X: ‘Undoubtedly the most recognisable Polish businessman in the world. Billions reached in one day.

‘Polish entrepreneurs will be making up for image losses for years. Unfortunately.’

Majchrzak, 29, defeated ninth seed Karen Khachanov in a marathon five-set thriller on Thursday before the incident.

He confirmed that Mr Szczerek is the man in the video, and revealed he sponsors his tennis federation in Poland, adding that there was ‘obviously some kind of confusion’.

Describing how it unfolded, the player said: ‘I was pointing, giving the hat, but I had a lot going on after my match, after being super tired and super excited for the win. I just missed it.

Mr Szczerek’s wife Anna introduced him to tennis, a sport they share a passion for

‘I had like a dead look if you know what I mean. I’m sure the guy was also acting in the moment of heat, in the moment of emotions.’

Majchrzak moved to put things right on Friday, taking to Instagram to appeal for help in finding the boy.

‘After the match I didn’t record that my cap didn’t get to the boy,’ he wrote. ‘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. If it’s you (or your parents see this), please send me a DM.’

Just hours later, the Polish star confirmed the boy – named only as Brock – had been located. Sharing the same pictures of the incident on his story, he added: ‘I am impressed by the power of the internet. We got it! All good now.’

The tennis star has since appealed to fans to lay off the alleged hat-snatcher, saying Mr Szczerek may have taken the cap in the ‘heat of the moment’.

‘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,’ the Polish athlete said.

‘That’s pretty much it. This wasn’t right, but what’s gone is gone… we fixed it, everybody’s happy now, and I think it’s time to put it behind for everyone.’