Just incredibly heartwarming, this
Tennis icon Roger Federer provided a young fan with ‘the best day of his life’ after the pair shared the tennis court, five years after the youngster initially challenged him to a match.
Back in August 2017, Izyan ‘Zizou’ Ahmad was offered the chance to ask Federer a question as part of the #NetGenerationKidcaster event.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the US Open tournament in New York, Ahmad plucked up the courage to ask the former world number one a question
In 2017, a daring boy named Izyan Ahmad, who goes by “Zizou”, asked Roger Federer an important question with a loaded follow-up during a press conference at the US Open.
“Can you please continue to play for eight, nine years so that I can play you when I go pro?”pic.twitter.com/IMLNBdPJqO
— Tansu Yegen (@TansuYegen) August 9, 2022
He asked: “You have been the most consistent player of all time. Can you please continue to play for eight, nine years so that I can play you when I go pro?”
With a massive smile on his face, Federer replied: “Yes. If you make it on Tour I will make sure I come back for you.”
However, ‘Zizou’ wasn’t done there, and he wanted some assurances – so he challenged Federer further. “Is that a promise?” he asked, before Federer responded: “Almost. Pinky promise.”
Last week, #USTAEastern juniors Izyan "Zizou" Ahmad and Jack Kennedy set out for Reno to experience @DavisCup from the same vantage point as Team USA
Photos courtesy of the players. pic.twitter.com/K8SDdsYbvC
— USTA Eastern (@USTAEastern) March 11, 2022
Now, five years later, Federer did exactly what he said he was going to do. Ahmad was invited to Zurich, Switzerland, alongside his coach for what he believed was going to be a training session.
The pair sat down in a local cafe, with Ahmad completely unaware that he was being secretly filmed by Barilla. He then got the chance to face off against Federer on the court.
Zizou, who is 11-years-old, was crowned the number one player in both singles and doubles in the US earlier this year.
After the video went viral on social media, he tweeted: “When the GOAT makes a promise, he keeps it.”
“That’s what makes him such an idol. Thank you Mr. Federer, for the best day of my life, for these memories and I am forever grateful that you kept your pinky promise!”
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