A shocking act of sheer greed overshadowed the sporting spectacle at Flushing Meadows, when a grown man was caught on camera callously snatching a prized souvenir from the hands of a young boy.
The ugly incident occurred following American tennis sensation Ben Shelton's victorious third-round match. In a gesture of appreciation, the 20-year-old player tossed his sweat-soaked 'B1' branded cap into the adoring crowd.
The cap landed in the hands of the young fan, whose moment of joy was brutally cut short. In a video that has since gone viral, a man in a grey t-shirt is seen forcefully wrestling the hat from the child's grasp, leaving the boy visibly distraught and empty-handed.
The footage has ignited a firestorm of condemnation across social media, with fans and commentators alike branding the man's actions as 'disgusting', 'despicable', and a 'new low' for spectator behaviour.
This disgraceful episode stands in stark contrast to the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by Shelton himself, who has become a fan favourite for his electrifying play and enthusiastic interactions with the crowd.
The identity of the man remains unknown, and it is unclear if tournament security addressed the situation. The incident serves as a grim reminder that a few shameful actions can tarnish the experience for genuine, young fans of the game.
