It’s awesome being a kid that plays a sport and has a hero to look up to. But this was off the charts awesome.
In 2017, a 6-year-old boy named Izyan Ahmad (better known by his nickname, Zizou) had the opportunity to chat with tennis legend Roger Federer at a press conference at the U.S. Open.
Zizou asked the tennis great the cutest question: “Hi, Mr. Federer. Can you please continue to play for eight, nine years so that I can play you when I go pro?” Federer said yes. “Is that a promise?” Zizou prodded. “Pinky promise,” Roger responded with a huge smile.
It was cute, but no one expected this encounter to create a viral moment.
It’s 2022, Zizou is now 11 years old and has ranked as the No. 1 player under age 12 in the United States in both singles and doubles. He serves as the Eastern ambassador for the U.S. Tennis Association, and he is obviously on his way to greatness.
Federer and his sponsor orchestrated a surprise for the boy, and boy was it a good day for Zizou!
Zizou’s coach accompanied him to Europe so that they could allegedly have a training event. As they sat down to eat together, the waiter told them that there was someone who was a huge fan and wanted to meet him.
Zizou was surprised when the woman came to the table to take a picture with him and revealed a T-shirt with his face on it.
Roger Federer was watching this whole scene from a distance. Suddenly voices start chanting “Zizou! Zizou!” and the young man turns toward them. “What the…” he says, confused about what was going on.
The chanting and clapping were coming from the tennis court, and Zizou was led to receive the surprise of a lifetime.
Take a look at this marvelous scene:
Zizou shared the video and said, “When the GOAT makes a promise, he keeps it! That’s what makes him such an idol! We spent half a day with him, but his humility, grace, smiling personality, ability to make everyone around him instantly comfortable, magnifies his persona and shows me that you cannot be a great sportsman unless you are a great person first. 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! HAPPY BIRTHDAY G.O.A.T!”
Watch:
