Tales of Clara Burel’s 2018 season are well told for a reason. In many ways her story epitomises the very essence of sport: perseverance, strength of character and triumph after adversity.

Rennes-born Burel enjoyed a fantastic campaign and reached the latter stages of numerous major tournaments, although she developed an unwelcome habit of falling at the final hurdle and ending proceedings in despair.

This was the case at two Junior Grand Slams – the Australian Open and US Open – and the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, while in total she lost five successive finals. Such a tendency to fall short in the moment of truth is something which could have defined her fledgling career.

But many a sporting figure and team has suffered a similar fate before clearing that mental block and critical hurdle. Indeed, American basketball outfit San Antonio Spurs, and more recently English rugby union side Saracens, adopted a quotation from social reformer Jacob Riis.

The mantra cites a stonecutter hammering at a rock a hundred times without as much as a crack appearing, although the next blow would appear decisive as it splits the stone. However, it is the cumulative effect of the previous hits, not that solitary blow, that caused the rock to shatter.

Such a philosophy worked wonders for San Antonio Spurs and Saracens and could well have applied to Burel as she put past anguish behind her and dispatched the best of the junior crop in Chengdu. Being crowned 2018 ITF Junior Finals girls’ champion was a fitting reward for a stunning year.

In the immediate aftermath of victory, an ecstatic Burel said: “It’s my first trophy this year. I’ve had some tough finals and it has been very painful for me to lose every time in the final so I am very happy to get my hands on this trophy.”

Twelve months on, she reflected further on the whole affair. “Chengdu was one of the most amazing and coolest tournaments I’ve ever played – I really enjoyed it,” said told itftennis.com.

“Winning it meant so much to me and it still does. I enjoyed being on court, competing on the amazing site and also being off court spending some fun time with all the other players." 

The crowning moment came against Colombia’s Maria Camila Osorio Serrano, who Burel had brutally demolished in the opening round-robin clash to signal her intent, while she also beat her Australian Open conqueror Liang En Shuo in the semi-finals.

Burel’s Far East odyssey was more than just a monkey off her back, though. Her triumph at the Sichuan International Tennis Centre ensured she finished the year as the No. 1-ranked girl on the planet and was consequently named ITF World Champion.

From there, the 18-year-old was handed a wild card entry into the main draw at the Australian Open in January where she came up against Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro, losing 7-5 6-2, although she gained priceless experience for the next steps of her career.

However, after contesting W60 Andrezieux-Boutheon later that month, injury struck and Burel succumbed to a wrist injury which ultimately required surgery and has sidelined her ever since.

During this potentially bleak period away from court, the ITF World Champions Dinner during Roland Garros, at which Burel was celebrated alongside the likes of Philippe Chatrier Award winner Gabriela Sabatini, Simona Halep and Novak Djokovic, offered the teenager a timely boost and a stark reminder of her past achievements.

“It was so frustrating to have to stop competing after I reached my best level playing in the main draw at the Australian Open,” said Burel. “Even though I’ve played with some pain in my wrist there, it was such an amazing experience.

“But being at the ITF World Champions Dinner in June was such a great moment because it wasn’t easy for me at this time. I really enjoyed being in the same room as so many other ITF World Champions and it provided a lot of good memories from the previous year. 

“In terms of the injury, I took some extra time off after surgery to be sure my wrist was going to be healed in the best possible way before undergoing rehab. It took a long couple of months but I was really motivated and determined to make sure that was successful.

“At the beginning it was very frustrating not to be able to play tennis, but I’ve been resting a lot and I’m enjoying my life outside of the tennis court.”

With the gloom of injury clearing, Burel is on the cusp of a return to action. She is determined to make up for lost time and enjoy similar moments to those experienced in Chengdu 12 months ago.

“My team and I have been working really hard to make the right decisions and choices and ultimately to ensure I come back stronger,” added Burel.

“It all seems to have paid off because I’m finally healed and feel healthy, while I started hitting backhand again three weeks ago pain free. I hope to be able to play a couple of tournaments before the end of the year.”

Whatever the next few months hold, Burel will always have the memories of her title-winning exploits at the ITF Junior Finals as a source of comfort, inspiration and motivation.  

During the build-up to this year's ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals, which take place between 23-27 October, an interview with each player competing in Chengdu will appear on www.itftennis.com and the ITF's social media channels. There will also be articles featuring former winners of and participants at the event.