Inspired by Roger Federer, Swiss player Henry Burnett gave himself an impressive 18th birthday present by winning the Australian Open junior boys title.
Burnett, who beat top seed Jan Kumstat in the quarter-finals and Finland’s Oskari Paldanius in the semi-finals, sealed the title with a 6-3 6-4 win over American Benjamin Wilvert.
The teenager can now follow in the footsteps of compatriots Federer and Stan Wawrinka, who hold 23 Grand Slams between them.
Burnett first met Federer at last year’s US Open and has trained with Wawrinka since the pair share the same management team.
Bernett, who has a beautiful one-handed backhand, recently announced that he has recruited Severin Lutti, Federer’s longtime coach, ending his partnership with current coach Kai Stentenbach.
“I have to thank my coach, this is actually our last trip and I think it’s almost the happy ending we deserve,” Burnett said as he received his trophy at Rod Laver Arena.
“I wouldn’t be standing here without you because you made me believe that I could win one of these big tournaments, so thank you very much.”
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Burnett also grew up in Basel and represented TC Old Boys Basel, the club where Federer played as a teenager.
She joins a long list of famous Swiss names to win junior Grand Slams, including Federer, Wawrinka and Martina Hingis.
“It’s an honor for me to see that they’re interested in my game. It’s a motivation for me,” Burnett said.
“I’ve already been compared to Roger, but it’s similar. “He’s a different world. He’s playing at a different level and I’m a long way from that.”
“I mean, what Roger and Stan achieved for the country of Switzerland is beyond normal and it’s just an inspiration for us young people.”
“I’d like to talk to him (Federer) again. I mean, he’s busy. I mean, I’d like to talk to him right now.
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