A ball kid's decision to scrawl 'Allez Roger' on the clay courts of Roland Garros is still remembered by the tennis great more than a decade on.
It was in 2011 that Roger Federer was looking to break a dry spell. He was not a current holder of a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2003.
After defeating Novak Djokovic in the semi-final, Federer faced clay court king Rafael Nadal in the final.
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Federer fell at the final hurdle, but not before ball kid Kenza Del wrote a message of support on the court.
The moment echoed around the world, a photo of Del writing the message eventually reaching Federer.
The Swiss star thanked Del, sending her his shirt that he wore in the final, framed and with an autograph.
In a video posted on Monday, she recounted the moment.
"In 2011, I was a ball kid at the net," said Del.
"Back in the days, we used to have a little game with the other net ball kid. We played some tic tac toe on the clay. It was forbidden, of course.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq3JgGDNYcC/?hl=en"We were both Roger's fans and it was a tough moment for him. And I don't know why but I decided to write 'Allez Roger'.
"A picture was taken by a photographer who took the picture at the right time. He happened to know Roger's agent.
"He sent him the picture and I guess Roger liked it, so he decided to thank me by sending me a little gift I received a few weeks later.
"I only learned the full story when I received the gift."
Federer found his way to the comments section of that video, posting "Merci Kenza 🙏🏼💪🏼🎾"
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq0ITXdICs1/?hl=enKenza said she has never had the chance to meet the photographer who captured the moment.
"I never got the chance to thank him," she said.
"So, if he watches this video, if he hears me, I'll be glad to thank him, because it's all thanks to him."
Federer retired from tennis in 2022 following the Laver Cup.
Across his storied career, Federer won 20 Grand Slam titles, six of which came at the Australian Open.
He had the most success at Wimbledon, claiming the crown on eight occasions.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
A ball kid's decision to scrawl 'Allez Roger' on the clay courts of Roland Garros is still remembered by the tennis great more than a decade on.
It was in 2011 that Roger Federer was looking to break a dry spell. He was not a current holder of a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2003.
After defeating Novak Djokovic in the semi-final, Federer faced clay court king Rafael Nadal in the final.
READ MORE: Matildas stun 'world's best' England
READ MORE: Change in coach hunt unearths shock favourite
READ MORE: 'This has to stop': Fourth Indigenous star abused
Federer fell at the final hurdle, but not before ball kid Kenza Del wrote a message of support on the court.
The moment echoed around the world, a photo of Del writing the message eventually reaching Federer.
The Swiss star thanked Del, sending her his shirt that he wore in the final, framed and with an autograph.
In a video posted on Monday, she recounted the moment.
"In 2011, I was a ball kid at the net," said Del.
"Back in the days, we used to have a little game with the other net ball kid. We played some tic tac toe on the clay. It was forbidden, of course.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq3JgGDNYcC/?hl=en"We were both Roger's fans and it was a tough moment for him. And I don't know why but I decided to write 'Allez Roger'.
"A picture was taken by a photographer who took the picture at the right time. He happened to know Roger's agent.
"He sent him the picture and I guess Roger liked it, so he decided to thank me by sending me a little gift I received a few weeks later.
"I only learned the full story when I received the gift."
Federer found his way to the comments section of that video, posting "Merci Kenza 🙏🏼💪🏼🎾"
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq0ITXdICs1/?hl=enKenza said she has never had the chance to meet the photographer who captured the moment.
"I never got the chance to thank him," she said.
"So, if he watches this video, if he hears me, I'll be glad to thank him, because it's all thanks to him."
Federer retired from tennis in 2022 following the Laver Cup.
Across his storied career, Federer won 20 Grand Slam titles, six of which came at the Australian Open.
He had the most success at Wimbledon, claiming the crown on eight occasions.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
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