Henry Bernet, in the footsteps of Federer

Published on January 20, 2025 at 6:09 p.m. / Modified on January 20, 2025 at 7:21 p.m.

4 mins. reading

Despite his French-speaking surname, his mastery of the language of Marc Rosset is not yet as accomplished as that of his idol, but a few days before celebrating his 18th birthday, on January 25, Henry Bernet is already following in the footsteps of Roger Federer . Same Basel origins, same club (TC Old Boys), same brand of racket (Wilson), same one-handed backhand at a time when this class gesture is tending to disappear. Obviously, the teenager is being scrutinized very closely this second week in Melbourne, where he is playing in the Australian Junior Open. It must be said that a few days ago, he became the first active Swiss player to join the “On” brand, of which Roger Federer is a shareholder and which does not make too many mistakes when it comes to choosing his players. foals: Iga Swiatek, Ben Shelton or the Brazilian Joao Fonseca, another teenager with great potential.

This Monday, the phenomenon was scheduled to open the day but on one of the “show courts” of Melbourne Park, number 3, by the organizers of the Australian Grand Slam, a privilege for a single junior. Seeded No. 8 in the tournament, the tall (1.91m) and slim attacker had already donned the pink and yellow outfit of his new sponsor for the occasion. In a stifling and humid heat, some 200 spectators took their places in the aisles, undoubtedly intrigued by this young novice who, last week, won in Traralgon (in the east of the State of Victoria) a tournament bringing together almost the same picture as in Melbourne.

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