Henry Bernet achieved one thing Roger Federer didn’t do by profitable the Australian Open boys’ title Saturday, with the younger Swiss utilizing comparisons to his illustrious compatriot as motivation.
Bernet beat American Benjamin Willwerth 6-3, 6-4 on his 18th birthday to affix the likes of Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios and Gael Monfils in lifting the Melbourne trophy.
Whereas Federer received six Australian Opens amongst his 20 Grand Slam titles, the junior crown was by no means amongst his silverware.
Each Bernet and Federer are Basel natives who got here by way of the identical tennis membership, TC Previous Boys Basel.
In different similarities, Bernet employs the identical traditional one-handed backhand that served Federer so properly and he’s now being coached by Severin Luthi, who was lengthy by the Swiss nice’s aspect.
Requested how he would deal with the inevitable comparisons as he joins the primary ATP Tour, Bernet mentioned: “I’m simply making an attempt to develop myself, type of make my very own journey.
“However clearly there’s at all times going to be some comparisons. That’s not an issue for me. It’s a motivation.”
He has solely met Federer as soon as, ultimately yr’s US Open.
“I might love to speak to him once more,” he mentioned when requested whether or not he anticipated a cellphone name from the 43-year-old after his Australian breakthrough.
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