Henry Bernet: Teenager inspired by Roger Federer wins Australian Open junior title | Tennis News

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Henry Bernet, a Swiss player inspired by Roger Federer, gave himself an impressive 18th birthday present by winning the Australian Open junior boys title.

Bernet, who beat top-seeded Jan Kumstat in the quarter-finals and Finland’s Oskari Paldanius in the semi-finals, sealed the title with a 6-3 6-4 win over American Benjamin Willwerth.

The teenager could now follow in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Federer and Stan Wawrinka, who hold 23 Grand Slams between them.

Bernet met Federer for the first time last year at the US Open and he has practised with Wawrinka as the pair share the same management team.

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Bernet, who possesses a beautiful one-handed backhand, recently announced he had recruited Severin Luthi, the long-time coach of Federer, ending his partnership with current coach Kai Stentenbach.

“I have to thank my coach, this is actually our last trip and I think it’s pretty much the happy ending we deserve,” Bernet said as he received his trophy on Rod Laver Arena.

“I wouldn’t be standing here without you as you gave me the belief I could win one of these big tournaments, so thank you very much.”

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Bernet also grew up in Basel and represented the TC Old Boys Basel, which is the club Federer played at as a junior.

He joins the long list of famous names from Switzerland to win a junior Grand Slam – including Federer, Wawrinka and Martina Hingis

“It is an honour for me to see them interested in my game. It is a motivation for me,” Bernet said.

“I have been compared already with Roger, but it is like, ‘He is another world. He is playing at another level and I am very far away from it’. But it keeps me motivated.

“I mean, what Roger and Stan achieved for the country Switzerland is not normal and it’s just an inspiration for us young people.”

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He added: “I would love to talk to him [Federer] again. But I mean, he’s anyway busy. I mean, I would love to have a chat with him. But I’m not expecting one now.”

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