Swiss teenager Henry Bernet achieved a milestone at the 2025 Australian Open, winning the boys’ singles title and accomplishing something his countryman, Roger Federer, never did—claiming the junior crown.
On his 18th birthday, Bernet defeated American Benjamin Willwerth 6-3, 6-4 to lift the prestigious trophy, joining the ranks of former winners like Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, and Gael Monfils.
Bernet and Federer share roots in Basel, both having trained at the same tennis club, TC Old Boys Basel. While Federer has won six Australian Open singles titles among his 20 Grand Slam wins, he never secured the junior title.
The young Swiss player, known for his one-handed backhand—similar to Federer’s signature shot—was also coached by Federer’s longtime mentor, Severin Luthi. Reflecting on the comparisons to the tennis legend, Bernet expressed that they served as motivation, saying, “I’m just trying to develop myself, kind of make my journey. But obviously, there’s always going to be some comparisons. That’s not a problem for me.”
Bernet has met Federer once, at the 2024 US Open, and he hopes for another opportunity to connect with the 43-year-old Swiss icon.
