Roger Federer Fulfills Five-Year ‘Pinky Promise’ To Young Fan Because… Barilla?
Tennis superstar Roger Federer has finally made good on a longstanding promise he made to a young fan five years ago, all thanks to… uh, Barilla.
While the brand, most famously known for its pasta, doesn’t immediately seem to have a connection with the sport, the group has had a long-term contract with Federer as its global ambassador since 2017.
The touching advertisement, dubbed ‘The Promise’, rewinds back to 2017 when Federer “pinky promising” young supporter Izyan Ahmad, who goes by Zizou, that he would challenge him to a one-on-one tennis match when he was older.
It then shows the tennis star making good his promise, standing on the opposite site of the net for a duel five years later. The joy on the teen’s face is unmistakable, and as per The Drum, had not known about this arrangement till he met Federer face-to-face.
Gianluca Di Tondo, Chief Marketing Officer at Barilla, explained that the brand hoped to capture the “human aspect and the values of sport,” through this shot, which will no doubt serve as a heartwarming campaign in the build up to the US Open.
“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!” Zizou later wrote on Twitter.
Oh, in case you’re still wondering—of course pasta was served, too.
