If handling pressure is a big part of being a professional tennis player, then Switzerland’s Henry Bernet would seem to be well prepared.
On his 18th birthday, Bernet showed perfect poise as he beat American Benjamin Willwerth 6-3 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena to become the first Swiss ever to win a junior singles title in Melbourne and join some illustrious names from his country to win junior majors.
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None more illustrious, of course, than Roger Federer, the 20-time Grand Slam champion, and the comparisons are uncanny. The pair are from the same tennis club in Basel, both played football to a high level, both have a one-handed backhand, both have had Severin Luthi as their coach and both, now, have won junior Grand Slam titles.
Bernet understands the comparisons but wants to follow his own path if he can. “I'm just trying to develop myself, make my own journey,” said the young Swiss, who was presented with a birthday cake at his post-match press conference.
“But obviously there's always going to be some comparisons. That's not a problem for me. It's a motivation, too. Maybe I just try to focus on my own journey.”
Bernet said he has met Federer just once, at the US Open last September. So far, he hasn’t had any contact with him while he’s been in Melbourne, but was asked if he would be expecting a call.
“I really don't know,” he said. “I would love to talk to him again. I mean, he's anyway busy. I would love to have a chat with him (but) I'm not expecting one now.”
Having won the warm-up event in Traralgon, Bernet came to Melbourne on top form and dropped just one set on his way to the title. The final was a competitive affair and included one stunning 30-shot rally, finished off with a forehand winner from Bernet but the Swiss was the more aggressive throughout and fully deserved his victory.
One break, in the ninth game, gave him the first set. In the second, Games went with serve until 5-4 when Bernet, having got to 15-40, clinched victory as Willwerth’s backhand lob landed just long, the Swiss putting his hands on his head and turning toward his team in delight.
Bernet’s one-handed backhand makes him something of a rarity in the men’s game these days but his trademark shot came about, he said, somewhat by luck.
“I can’t really remember (when it happened), I was pretty young,” he said. “I was just practising with my coach in the club. I was always struggling with my two-hander. He was like, more or less as a joke, let's try a one-hander. It felt natural. It looked natural. That was the point where I decided to play the one-hander. Just developed well so far.”
Like Federer, Bernet enjoys skiing, but knows he may have to put that on the back burner as he moves into the professional ranks, much as Federer did, even if he wants to continue.
“I would say I’m pretty safe on skis,” he said. “I'm not going too fast. It's really something I still enjoy. I actually went skiing now during Christmas break one day. It's just something I really enjoy. Personally, I don't want to stop. That's probably a sacrifice I have to make."
And it seems that he might even have a taste for Federer’s favourite surface, too.
“I think I'm best on hard court (but) I actually like all surfaces,” he said. “Especially I played last year the first time on grass. I love playing on grass. But I would say I'm best on hard court.”
Bernet flies home to Switzerland on Sunday for the next stage of his career, mixing the bigger junior tournaments with some professional events as he looks to climb the ATP rankings.
A place in the Switzerland Davis Cup team is a dream, he said, but he also seems to have a wise head on his young shoulders so won't be getting too carried away.
“When I get home, I'm going back to practice,” he said. “I think that's the important part, now after having many matches, to recover quickly, have a short break, then practice first before going to the next tournaments.”