An inside look at Roger Federer-backed teenager Henry Bernet who took Australian Open by storm to clinch 2025 boys' singles title (Exclusive)

Switzerland's Henry Bernet clinched the 2025 Australian Open boys singles title on Saturday, January 25. Bernet's remarkable achievement must have made 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer proud for many reasons, but most probably because the youngster did it donning the On weaves.

Bernet, seeded eighth, defeated Benjamin Willwerth 6-3, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena to be crowned the champion. The fact that he turned 18 on the same day made the feat more special.

The Swiss dropped only a set en route, defeating Brazil's Luis Guto Miguel 6-3, 6-1 in the first round, Japan's Naoto Tomizawa 6-3, 6-4 in the second, Serbia's Ognjen Milic 4-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(10-2) in the third, top-seed Czech Jan Kumstat 7-6(4), 7-6(2), and Finland's Oskari Paldanius 7-6(6), 6-2 in the semifinals.

Sportskeeda had the opportunity to sit down with Bernet for an exclusive chat on the sidelines of the Australian Open and get an inside look at how the kid, backed by Roger Federer's co-owned sports gear manufacturer On, goes about his life on and off the court.

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Henry Bernet: "I'd love to play against Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic"

In Picture: Henry Bernet (Getty)

Sportskeeda: What’s your post-match routine?

Henry Bernet: Yeah, most of the times now in these tournaments, we play at mid-day so after the match, I try to eat something quickly. Then just take a shower. When playing doubles, the preparation and recovery is later. Take a cold shower and everything. Yeah, nothing much special I’d say.

Sportskeeda: How would you define yourself as a tennis player?

Henry Bernet: Well, of course, I’m tall. I try to dictate with my serve and also just dictate the points. I would say I’m not a grinder, to finish the points or go to the net. More of a hard hitter.

Sportskeeda: How important is winning a Juniors Grand Slam title for you?

Henry Bernet: I’d say it helps you a lot for the transition from juniors to pros. Because I think you get wildcards and everything, the people, organizers just know that you’re probably a good up and coming pro player so they want to have you on the tournament. So, yeah, it helps you a lot in the next couple of years. But then, of course, the journey starts from zero again on the ATP Tour.

Sportskeeda: I think I know the answer to this question but who’s your idol?

Henry Bernet: (Laughs) Definitely [Roger] Federer and [Stan] Wawrinka… obviously because they are Swiss. I think those two from a country like Switzerland, Stan winning three Grand Slams, Roger winning 20 is not normal for a country like Switzerland so yeah, it’s really a hype. It’s always been those two for me.

Sportskeeda: Did you also take some inspiration from Nadal and Djokovic?

Henry Bernet: Yeah, of course! I mean, I always got mad when they beat Federer or Wawrinka of course. No, I mean, [Rafael] Nadal with his Spanish fighting mentality, which is different with Federer, he isn’t showing it like Nadal and [Novak] Djokovic and that’s what most of the upcoming players now do as well. So yeah, just the toughness from Nadal and Djokovic is just on another level.

Sportskeeda: Is there anyone from the present or past that you want to play against?

Henry Bernet: Actually, I’d love to play against Nadal or one of the Big 3… Federer, Nadal or Djokovic.

Sportskeeda: Do you want to take some revenge?

Henry Bernet: (Laughs) Maybe that too but I think that will take a long time. Maybe I’ll have a chance when they can’t move anymore.

Sportskeeda: What's your take on social media?

Henry Bernet: Well, I mean, I never was really active on social media from the beginning. It started last year, from French Open. I mean, of course it’s important for all your sponsors, the marketing but at the same time it’s also dangerous because there’s so many accounts and everything. Everyone can create an account and write you something. But yeah, I think, every tennis player has to deal with it. It’s just something you’ve to deal with, the crowd here as well, if you’re playing an Australian player, you don’t need to be surprised if they start cheering for the other one if you miss some shots. Same in Paris, US… so I feel like it’s all just a part of the game.

Sportskeeda: How exciting is it be wearing the same kits as Iga Swiatek and Ben Shelton?

Henry Bernet: Yeah it’s obviously cool. I mean, that’s something I really like about On because they’re choosing their players. Typically, they don’t take many players and see who’s progressing and who’s not so they can kind of sort them out. But I feel there’s a great relationship between the players and On.