The US Open has been rocked by another fan controversy after World No 1 Jannik Sinner was targeted in a shocking bag-grab incident following his victory in New York.
The Italian, fresh from securing his place in the quarter-finals, was packing away his belongings at courtside when a spectator appeared to lean over and try to unzip his bag.
Security quickly intervened before the situation could escalate, but Sinner was visibly angered, shaking his head in disbelief after being alerted to what had just happened.
At the time, the 2025 Wimbledon champion had been engaging with fans in a lighter moment. He had handed his towel to one supporter and was taking a selfie with another when the attempt occurred.
Jannik Sinner looked on in astonishment after a US Open fan seemingly attempted to steal something from his bag
|X
The moment dampened what should have been a routine exit from the court after another strong performance.
This latest flashpoint comes just days after the tournament was hit by a separate scandal involving a fan snatching memorabilia from Polish player Kamil Majchrzak.
Following his dramatic second-round upset over ninth seed Karen Khachanov, a match in which he saved five match points, Majchrzak tried to gift his cap to a young supporter named Brock.
Instead, a man standing next to the boy grabbed it and stuffed it into his bag before walking away.
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The footage went viral, sparking widespread outrage online.
The man was later identified as Polish businessman Piotr Szczerek, the CEO of a paving company.
He eventually issued a public apology, claiming he thought Majchrzak was gesturing towards him.
Szczerek admitted he had “made a huge mistake” and confirmed he returned the cap to the boy, though the backlash damaged his company’s online profile.
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😲 This guy tried to steal something from Sinner’s bag 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/Y7aodkrmyH
— Olly Tennis 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) September 2, 2025
Majchrzak himself stepped in to make amends, tracking down Brock and his family ahead of his next match.
A heartwarming video showed the player meeting the young fan outside Arthur Ashe Stadium, handing him a bag of gifts and spending time chatting.
The reunion drew praise across social media as an example of sportsmanship and kindness in contrast to the viral controversy.
The twin incidents raise serious questions about fan conduct at major tournaments.
Tennis prides itself on traditions of respect and decorum, but in recent years there have been a growing number of cases where spectators overstep boundaries, from disruptive heckling to attempts to interfere with players.
Security at Flushing Meadows is already among the tightest in world sport, yet the close proximity of fans to players on outside courts and during post-match moments of interaction leaves room for risks.
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Polish entrepreneur Piotr Szczerek issued a public apology after being filmed snatching a souvenir cap from a young fan at the US Open, in an incident that quickly went viral.
| XSinner, meanwhile, is hoping to retain the US Open title this year.
He has been in imperious form so far, dropping just one set.
Sinner faces No 10 seed Lorenzo Musetti in the early hours of Thursday morning with a place in the last four at stake.