Czech Republic’s Jonas Forejtek has made a habit of seizing last chances this season. With another now beckoning in the form of the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals, he is determined to ensure the latest opportunity does not slip through his grasp.

Forejtek has stated that the Chengdu showdown is likely to be his last junior tournament before focusing solely on the professional circuit, and despite the prospect of a new chapter there remains business to take care of.

After all, the 18-year-old, who won both his singles matches during his Davis Cup debut for Czech Republic against Bosnia and Herzegovina in September, has had a campaign to remember.

A standout moment came last month when he entered the US Open Junior Tennis Championships knowing that time was running out if he was to scribe a Junior Grand Slam title onto his CV.

He duly obliged, defeating last year’s ITF Junior Finals boys’ champion Brandon Nakashima in the last four before recovering from a set down to claim victory against Emilio Nava in the final.

“It was my goal to win a Junior Grand Slam in singles so I’m really happy that I used my last chance to do so, and that I also became the No. 1-ranked junior in the world for the first time,” Forejtek told iftennis.com.

“I liked the atmosphere at Flushing Meadows, specifically on the big courts. I enjoyed watching the best players there and that gave me a lot of experience and motivation. It was just amazing.

“I was just so happy that I did it and won a Junior Grand Slam. Also, I have worked really hard in every practice session over the last few months so it felt like a reward.”

Not only is there scope for Forejtek to end his junior odyssey with a trophy, but a successful showing in Chengdu would also see the 18-year-old solidify his position at the summit of the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Rankings presented by IMG Academy.

Success in that regard would also bring the prospect of the ITF World Champion accolade into play, and Forejtek has designs on signing off from his life in junior tennis in style.

“I have already decided that the ITF Junior Finals will be my last junior tournament,” said Forejtek. “I would be really pleased if I could win the event as it would be great motivation for the next steps in my career.

“It would be really nice for me to finish the year as the junior world No. 1, but I will not go for any junior tournaments after Chengdu, so let’s see how I go over there.

“I will focus only on professional tournaments after this, so I’m aware it’s my last chance to get as many points as possible.”

As well as triumphing in New York this season, Forejtek also claimed victory at JA Milan in May, defeating fellow Chengdu competitor Thiago Agustin Tirante in the final, and scooped two Grand Slam doubles titles.

Forejtek, together with fellow Czech Dalibor Svrcina, lifted silverware at January’s Australian Open Junior Championships in Melbourne, while alongside compatriot Jiri Lehecka he did likewise at The Junior Championships at Wimbledon in July.

“I think this has been my best season and, as a result, I’m really looking forward to next year,” added Forejtek. “But I’m also really looking forward to the ITF Junior Finals. It was a goal of mine in Juniors to get there and now I have.”