Henry Bernet (17 years old, ATP 784) became the first Swiss to win the Australian Open in the men’s junior draw. During the night from Friday to Saturday, at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, the Basel resident lifted the trophy after beating the American Benjamin Willwerth (17 years old, ATP 1340) in two sets. Seeded No. 8, the Swiss won 6-3 6-4.
Bernet was particularly dominant on his faceoffs. He managed five aces, was credited with the point on 79% of his first faceoffs and only conceded two break points (unconverted by an opponent he challenged for the first time). During the 71 minutes of the final, he stole Willwerth’s serve three times.
Throughout this Grand Slam tournament, the young Swiss Tennis player played six matches and only lost one set, in the round of 16 against the Slovenian Ognjen Milic. He particularly surprised and delighted specialists and the public with his impactful and difficult to read one-handed backhand from the other side of the net.
A native of Basel, from TC Old Boys, Henry Bernet has recently worked at Swiss Tennis with Severin Lüthi, Roger Federer’s coach for fifteen years (2007-2022) and the current captain of Switzerland in the Davis Cup.
-Furthermore, the sportswear brand “On”, of which Le Maître is a shareholder and ambassador, has concluded a five-year commercial agreement with the young Swiss talent.
Henry Bernet is having a stunning start to 2025. He has won his last twelve matches.
