France’s Diane Parry will head into the new season on the back of a blistering end to her 2019 campaign which saw her top the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Rankings presented by IMG Academy and become the second French player in as many years to be named girls’ ITF World Champion.

“Finishing the year world No.1 was the objective I wanted to achieve so it’s a very satisfying moment,” said Parry. “It’s a big reward for my team, for the tough work we went through. They gave me strength and confidence. I’m also very happy for the French Federation, after Clara Burel last year, having a new French ITF World Champion means that we’re following the right path with their full support.

“On a more personal note, I could not dream about a better way to end my junior adventure and prepare to make a full transition to the professional tour.”

The 17-year-old rocketed to the rankings summit following a stunning victory at JA Osaka – the second Grade A title of her career – in October where she conquered all without dropping a set.

This was followed by her triumph at the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals in Chengdu, which solidified her position as the highest-ranked girl in world tennis.

She was the only player to remain undefeated at the Sichuan International Tennis Centre in Chengdu and ruthlessly dispatched Ukraine’s Daria Snigur in a one-sided final.

Had Snigur won, she would have assumed the Junior World No. 1 spot but, on the day, had little answer to the brilliance of Parry, who extended her winning streak to 11 matches.

Parry became the second successive French girl after Clara Burel to claim victory at the ITF Junior Finals. Following in the footsteps of Burel once more, she is also the second French player in as many years to be named girls’ ITF World Champion.

Away from those successes, Parry also triumphed at J1 Criciuma in February and reached the semi-finals at J1 Roehampton in July where she succumbed to Snigur.

Her best Junior Grand Slam showing during 2019 came at Wimbledon as she progressed to the semi-finals before bowing out in straight sets at the hands of American Alexa Noel.

The previous campaign was also notable for Parry, as a wild card entrant, progressing to the second round in the main draw at Roland Garros after beating Vera Lapko of Belarus.

Belgium’s Elise Mertens was her opponent in the second round and while Parry claimed just four games in the straight-sets defeat, the experience of playing such esteemed company on the clay of Paris is likely to prove invaluable.