Federer turns 41, but the gift was his: the incredible promise he kept to a young fan

the future of Roger Federer It is uncertain. Inactive since July 2021, the Swiss is starting to experience the end of his career and is aiming for recovery for the Laver cup, where the Big Four will represent Europe. And although the tennis legend isn’t going through his prime, he continues to make the note. This Monday, on his 41st birthday, Federer kept an incredible promise to a young fan.

For the start of this story you have to go back five years, before the US Open. On that occasion Roger ran into a young Izyan Ahmad, who was encouraged to attend the press conference.

Zizouas his friends know, he asked the Swiss: “Can you keep playing for eight or nine years until I can play with you when I’m a pro?”. Federer replied: “It’s a promise, I promise you”. And she respected.

But it didn’t take eight or nine years. It was only five for Roger to finally deliver. From the hand of Barilla, the world leading pasta factory of which the Swiss is ambassador, organized a sort of hidden camera featuring ‘Zizou’ and Federer. In it, they show the young man arriving in Switzerland to play a tournament. Eventually the surprise came.

First, because of the restaurateurs, who not only knew his name, but also dared to ask for photos. Later, by the number of children chanting his name on the edge of the field. For ‘Zizou’ all this it was already crazy.

When he saw the cameras, he realized that the most important thing was still missing: the teenager had already found a rival.

From a tent located on the whole, nothing less than Roger Federerwho followed this hidden camera minute by minute and reacted live. They presented him as “an opponent equal to Zizou”, and when the boy saw him he could not believe it. Federer welcomed his biggest fan to Switzerland and he did it in an unbeatable way. After five years, Izyan and Roger have finally played their game.

They gave each other a touching hug, and then a formal greeting to start the game. The one he eliminated was Roger, and the rest is anecdotal. That yes, the comments of the Swiss during the match will surely turn in ‘Zizou’ head for a long time. In the middle of the game, for example, Federer launched: “You’re playing well, Zizou. I like it”.

Meanwhile, dozens of people surrounded the court and celebrated the speeches of both. In the end they closed the match and Roger concluded: “Very solid, very good. You’re playing great”to conclude an unforgettable afternoon for the young tennis player.