Henry Bernet won the Australian Open boys’ title on Saturday, doing something Roger Federer was unable to do. The little Swiss was motivated by parallels to his legendary countryman.
To join the likes of Gael Monfils, Nick Kyrgios, and Alexander Zverev in winning the Melbourne trophy, Bernet defeated American Benjamin Willwerth 6-3, 6-4 on his 18th birthday.
Despite having 20 Grand Slam victories, including six Australian Opens, Federer never took home the junior championship.
Federer and Bernet both hail from Basel and attended the same tennis club, TC Old Boys Basel.
In other parallels, Bernet uses the same traditional one-handed backhand that Federer so successfully employed, and Severin Luthi, who was long-time Federer’s coach, is currently coaching Bernet.
“I’m just trying to develop myself, kind of make my journey,” Bernet responded when asked how he would face the inevitable comparisons once he joins the main ATP Tour. “Of course, comparisons will always be made, nevertheless. I don’t find that problematic. It is a source of inspiration.”
He only had one encounter with Federer, in the US Open last year.
When asked if he thought the 43-year-old would call him after his breakthrough in Australia, he replied, “I would love to talk to him again.”
