Naomi Osaka’s Coach Warns Fans Not to Put Too Much Pressure on Young Talent Henry Bernet

Naomi Osaka’s coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, has urged tennis fans not to put excessive pressure on young Swiss player Henry Bernet, who has recently been compared to tennis legend Roger Federer.

Bernet, 18, won his first Grand Slam juniors title at the 2025 Australian Open, beating Benjamin Willwerth in straight sets. Following his victory, many fans have made comparisons between Bernet and Federer, especially due to their shared nationality and similar playing style.

Mouratoglou, who is well-known for coaching Osaka, acknowledged the comparisons but warned that they could put too much weight on Bernet’s shoulders. He explained why fans are drawing similarities between Bernet and Federer, saying, “I understand why this player is compared to Roger. First, he’s Swiss, like Roger, second, he has a one-handed backhand like Roger, and third, he’s winning Grand Slams, just like Roger did at a young age.”

However, Mouratoglou cautioned against the pressures that come with such comparisons, referring to another young player, Grigor Dimitrov, who was often called “Baby Federer” during his early career. “There’s a lot of pressure with these comparisons,” Mouratoglou warned. “Dimitrov was compared to Roger since he was 16 or 17 years old. It gives confidence but also takes confidence away because of the expectations. It’s tough to deal with that pressure.”

Mouratoglou’s advice was clear: “Don’t put too much pressure on him. Let him grow into his own career without the weight of comparisons hanging over him.” He added that while it’s great for a young player to win a junior title, there’s still a long way to go in their career.

Dimitrov, now a top ATP player, has spoken about the difficulties of such comparisons, calling them a “burden.” He explained that while it’s flattering, it can hinder a player’s ability to carve out their own identity in the sport.

Mouratoglou also spoke about the challenge of using a one-handed backhand in today’s game, noting that very few top players still use the shot. Despite the difficulty, he believes it’s still possible to reach the top with a one-handed backhand, just as Federer and Stan Wawrinka have done. However, he acknowledged that in modern tennis, a two-handed backhand is far more common among top players.

Mouratoglou’s comments highlight the importance of letting young players develop at their own pace, without the burden of unrealistic expectations.