Henry Burnet, the Swiss player inspired by Roger Federer, gave himself a wonderful 18th birthday gift by winning the Australian Open junior title.
Bernier, who defeated top seed Jan Komstadt in the quarter-finals and Finnish Oskari Baldanius in the semi-finals, won the title with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over American Benjamin Wilworth.
The teenager can now follow in the footsteps of compatriots Federer and Stan Wawrinka, who hold 23 Grand Slam titles between them.
Bernier met Federer for the first time last year at the US Open, and he trained with Wawrinka, as the two share the same management team.
Bernier, who has a beautiful one-handed backhand, recently announced the recruitment of Severin Luthi, Federer’s long-time coach, ending his partnership with current coach Kai Stentenbach.
“I have to thank my coach,” Bernier said while accepting his award at Rod Laver Arena. “This is actually our last trip and I think it is the happy ending that we very much deserve.”
“I wouldn’t be here without you because you gave me the belief that I could win one of these major tournaments, so thank you very much.”
Burnet also grew up in Basel and represented TC Old Boys Basel, the club Federer played for as a youngster.
He joins a long list of famous names from Switzerland to win a junior Grand Slam – including Federer, Wawrinka and Martina Hingis.
“It’s an honor to see them interested in my game. It’s an incentive for me,” Burnett said.
“I’ve already been compared to Roger, but it’s like it’s another world. He’s playing on another level and I’m so far away from him.” But it keeps me motivated.
“I mean, what Roger and Stan have achieved for their country Switzerland is not normal, and is just an inspiration to us young people.”
He added: “I love talking to him [Federer] once again. But I mean he’s busy anyway. I mean I would love to talk to him. But I don’t expect one now.”
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