In 2017, seven-year-old Izyan ‘Zizou’ Ahmad asked Roger Federer a question.
“You have been the most consistent player of all time. Can you please continue to play for another eight or nine years so I can play you when I go pro,” he said, speaking at a press conference part of the #NextGenerationKidcaster event.
Federer replied, with a grin on his face: “Yes. If you make it on Tour I will make sure I come back for you.”
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That response was not enough for the seven-year-old at the time, who then requested the 21-time grand slam champion “pinky promise” he would do exactly that.
(L-R) Roger Federer is interviewed by a seven-year-old Izyan ‘Zizou’ Ahmad. Â Twitter
Federer agreed. Five years later, he fulfilled that promise.
Ahmad, who was born in America and is often called Zizou, had been invited to practice on the courts in Zurich at age 11, where he was met by a group of young people cheering his name while training.
Ahmad was then informed a “worthy opponent” had arrived to play him, where he then turned around to learn his idol had kept his promise from all those years ago.
Izyan ‘Zizou’ Ahmad poses with Roger Federer on the court. Instagram
Ahmad had not yet reached professional status at that point, but that match in 2022 was one of the last games that Federer played before he announced his retirement that year.
Now, in 2026, Ahmad, 15, has received a qualifying wildcard into the Indian Wells Open.
“We are so proud of him for having the opportunity to showcase his talent on one of the world’s biggest stages,” the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, where Ahmad trains, wrote on Instagram.
“Go get ’em Zizou.”
Ahmad wrote on a post about his wildcard: “OMG. This is happening”.
The likes of Australia’s Alex de Minaur, world No.2 Jannik Sinner and Australian Open champion Carlos Alcaraz are all playing in the tournament from March 7 (AEDT).
Ahmad will have to go through the qualifying rounds to learn if he will secure a spot in the main draw, but the entry only goes to show he is one step closer to the top flight.
Ahmad qualified into the US Open Boys singles main draw last year, where he also had the opportunity pre-tournament to hit alongside world No.8 Felix Auger Aliassime.
While he will have to earn his spot in the main draw, there’s one obvious question that follows if he does.
Will Federer return to the tour for a one-off professional match against Ahmad? Only time will tell.
The Swiss champion certainly looked more than capable when he featured in exhibition games at this year’s Australian Open.