Henry Bernet follows in the footsteps of Roger Federer” data-image-id=”2421141701506159″ class=”watson-snippet__image bg-light block h-auto w-full “/>
Henry Bernet perpetuates the Swiss tradition of the one-handed backhand. Image: Imago/Jürgen Hasenkopf
The young Henry Bernet, 17, beat Fabio Fognini this Saturday in the first round of qualifying for the Basel tournament, and is only one match away from the main draw. His journey strangely resembles that of His Majesty.
Henry Bernet is one of the new faces of Swiss tennis. His name does not yet speak to the general public. However, the boy revealed himself last spring, by qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Roland-Garros junior tournament. His journey ended against the American Kaylan Bigun, a year older than him.
At the time, Bernet caused a sensation, by beating the junior number 1, the Norwegian Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, but also because he shares many points in common with Roger Federer. The player is from Basel. He returned his first balls to the Old Boys Tennis Club, where it all began for the “Maestro”. Henry Bernet is also a fervent supporter of FC Basel and he also uses the one-handed backhand, at a time when this gesture is tending to disappear.
His father’s name is Robert. Like that of Roger Federer. The comparison is therefore obvious and could lose the player before he even really launches his career. But Henry Bernet is not marked by any pressure. “There are a lot of similarities. These comparisons are therefore understandable. But I don’t put pressure on myself, because it seems impossible to become as good as Roger”he told CH Media, a group to which watson belongs, on the sidelines of the Swiss Indoors.
“Roger was better at 17 than I am today”
Henry Burnet
But Basel is progressing quickly, even very quickly. Its Challenger debut in Zug this summer is proof of that. Bernet reached the quarter-finals and eliminated Ryan Nijboer (399) as well as Juan Pablo Varillas (165), whom Switzerland found in the Davis Cup, in September in Bienne. These performances allowed the Swiss to jump up the rankings. It entered the Top 1000 and is now ranked 940th in the world. At the same time, he is in 26th place among juniors, no Swiss does better.
Henry Bernet nevertheless needed a wild card to compete in the qualifications in Basel, just as Roger Federer had received one in 1998, when he made his debut at the Swiss Indoors, at the same age. Only difference: RF was invited to participate in the main draw.
He then inherited André Agassi, future finalist of the event.
Young Bernet did not receive the same privilege. However, he could also play the first round of the Basel tournament at the age of 17, by taking his own path, via always demanding qualifications. The Basel resident brilliantly won this Saturday against the whimsical Fabio Fognini, currently 79th in the world, in two sets 6/3, 7/6 (4). He is only one match away from the feat. It will be against his compatriot Jérôme Kym, who defeated Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech after him on center court.
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