Parisian journalist and television/radio presenter Thomas Sotto has been very publicly asking Roger Federer to be a guest on radio station Europe 1. Though the world No. 3 has pulled out of Roland Garros, he was last seen practicing in Paris. After being forced to end his record of consecutive Grand Slam appearances at 65 on Thursday, a radio interview is probably the last thing on his mind.
Sotto's campaign began with an online petition in March, which has compiled more than 3,000 signatures. The journalist's dream is simply to have an interview with the 17-time Grand Slam champion.
The petition states Sotto's reasons for the request, which include wanting to understand why Federer doesn't sweat after five sets and "because he never beat me on the tennis court.”
French president Francois Hollande came on board on Wednesday, recording a message for the Swiss star (poorly translated):
“I am on Europe 1—waiting for you," Hollande said. "You would get a very good reception."