Roger Federer-backed Henry Bernet creates history as Australian Open 2025 boys' singles champion days after announcing sponsorship

Roger Federer-backed rising star Henry Bernet has scripted history at the 2025 Australian. The young Swiss became the first player from the country to clinch the boys’ singles title at the Melbourne Major.

Not many have the pleasure of celebrating their 18th birthday by lifting the elusive boys’ singles trophy at a Grand Slam. Henry Bernet added that feather to his cap by beating American Benjamin Willwerth 6-3, 6-4 in the Melbourne final on Saturday, January 25.

En route, the eighth seed beat the likes of Brazil’s Luis Guto, Japan’s Naoto Tomizawa, Serbia’s Ognjen Milic, Czechia’s Jan Kumstat, and Finland’s Oskari Paldanius, losing just one set during his campaign. Bernet had his back against the wall in his third-round match against Milic, finding himself just a couple of points away from defeat. The Swiss staged a miraculous 4-6, 7-6(8), 7-6(2) comeback to stay in contention for the title.

The 18-year-old became just the sixth Swiss player to emerge victorious in the boys’ singles category at Grand Slams, following in the footsteps of his idols Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka, who were the boys’ champions at Wimbledon (1998) and the French Open (2003), respectively.

Interestingly, just days before kicking off his Australian Open campaign, Henry Bernet announced his new 5-year deal with Roger Federer-backed Swiss sportswear brand On Running. The brand boasts a decorated portfolio, with the likes of Iga Swiatek, Ben Shelton, Flavio Cobolli, and Joao Fonseca sporting the gear.

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Henry Bernet recently added Roger Federer's former coach to his team

Henry Bernet (L) pictured with runner-up Benjamin Willwerth at the 2025 Australian Open - Image Source: Getty

Hailing from Basel isn’t the only aspect Henry Bernet shares with his idol, Roger Federer. Just like the 20-time Grand Slam champion, the teenager is known for his one-handed backhand, a rarity in recent times.

He also recently announced a new collaboration with Federer’s former coach, Severin Luthi, who enjoyed a brief stint as Holger Rune’s coach last year. At the 2025 Australian Open, though, Bernet was accompanied by his longtime coach, Kai Stentenbach. During his victory speech in Melbourne, he paid a glowing tribute to his partnership with Stentenbach.

"I have to thank my coach. This is actually our last trip and that’s pretty much the happy ending we deserve," Bernet said.

"I wouldn’t be standing here without you. You were the coach that gave me the belief that I could win one of these big tournaments and now I just did. It makes me super happy because I know that I wouldn’t be standing here without you, so thank you very much," he added.