Tennis fan caught red-handed opening world No.1 Jannik Sinner’s bag after US Open victory

Jannik Sinner had little trouble in his fourth-round match at the US Open on Monday night, beating Alexander Bublik easily to advance to the quarter-finals.

But the world No.1 may have come closer to losing something else afterward.

A fan appeared to attempt to open Sinner’s bag when the 24-year-old went over to the stands to give away a towel and pose for a photograph.

A member of the security staff quickly stopped the fan, and Sinner walked away from the crowd without incident.

The awkward situation, which was caught on the television broadcast, did not come up during Sinner’s post-match news conference after defeating Bublik 6-1 6-1 6-1.

Footage has since gone viral, however, with the bizarre moment coming after a high-profile incident where a millionaire snatched a player’s match-worn hat from a young boy.

Polish paving contractor CEO Piotr Szczerek was identified as the man caught taking his countryman Kamil Majchrzak’s cap last Thursday and has since apologised.

Majchrzak had just won the match of his life against No.9 seed Karen Khachanov, coming back from two sets down to pull off the extraordinary 2-6 6-7 (7-4) 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-5) victory.

After the match, the young boy was waiting patiently for an autograph on his giant tennis ball when Majchrzak generously offered the cap on his head instead.

But it was snatched away by the businessman, who was then seen tucking the hat into his wife’s bag as the heartbroken youngster protested.

Majchrzak came to the party later by meeting the boy and showering him with gifts while Polish fans were quick to name Szczerek.

Szczerek has now apologised, saying he had sent the cap back to the boy.

“I would like to unequivocally apologise to the young boy, his family, all the fans and the player himself,” Szczerek said.

“I made a grave mistake.

“In the midst of emotion, amidst the crowd’s celebration after the victory, I was convinced that the tennis player was passing the cap to me — for my sons, who had previously asked for autographs. This mistaken belief caused me to instinctively reach out.

”Today I know that I did something that looked like I deliberately took a souvenir from a child. It wasn’t my intention, but that doesn’t change the fact that I hurt the boy and disappointed the fans.

“The cap was given to the boy, and an apology is due to the family. I hope that I have at least partially repaired the harm.”

Szczerek also sought mercy by pointing to his track record of helping the Polish tennis community.

He vowed to “engage even more actively” in helping children and “take actions against violence and hate”.

“For years, my wife and I have been engaged in helping children and young athletes, but this situation has shown I think that one moment of disregard can ruin years of work and support,” he said.

“It hurts for me, but a needed lesson in humility. I believe that only through actions can rebuild what has been lost trust.

“Again, I’m sorry to anyone I disappointed. Please understand — for my family’s sake — I decided to turn off comments on this post.”

Meanwhile, Sinner is set to face fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti for a spot in the semi-finals at the US Open.

Sinner is gunning for his second US Open title and fifth grand slam, while he is also fending off Carlos Alcaraz for the No.1 ranking.