Mention Roland Garros to Denmark’s Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune and the emotions swell and memories of his success on the clay of Paris in June come flooding back.

By beating American Toby Kodat in the final, not only did the 16-year-old ensure that he joined the roll of honour of Junior Grand Slam winners and etched an indelible success onto his sporting CV, he also fulfilled a childhood dream.

Rune is not the first player, nor will he be the last, to be inspired by Rafael Nadal, but emulating the 19-time Grand Slam winner by triumphing in the French capital provided a major incentive for the future.

The plan is for Rune to graduate to the professional ranks following this month's ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals in Chengdu and tasting Junior Grand Slam glory has given the young pretender the merest hint of what the likes of Nadal have become so accustomed to.

“It is very emotional to think about Roland Garros,” Rune told itftennis.com. “Every time I’m asked about it I’m really moved. There were so many emotions.

“For me, Roland Garros has always been something special. I have watched so many matches with Rafa and other great clay players and I wanted to be them. Winning a Junior Grand Slam there made me feel a little closer.

“Winning there meant so much. It has been my goal to win a Junior Grand Slam and to have achieved it is fantastic. Hopefully it will open doors with wild cards and potential sponsors.”

To his own admission, Rune’s season started sluggishly and did not hint at Junior Grand Slam glory, although reaching the final at J2 Plovdiv in April restored confidence and instigated a timely return to form.

“I had very slow first three months of the year. I was too lazy,” he said. “Losing too early made me work harder and then I had three very good months with the final in Bulgaria and winning at Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Santa Croce and Roland Garros.

“I then really enjoyed playing on grass for the first time at Roehampton, where I reached the semi-finals, although I was not satisfied with my performance at Wimbledon or at the US Open.

“It is important that I keep focusing on improving my tennis. There’s a lot of hard work ahead but I love the journey and the process. There is a lot of hard work behind every victory and that is what makes results very special.”

The upturn in form which culminated in glory at the Roland Garros Junior Championships contributed to Rune comfortably qualifying for the ITF Junior Finals through the Road to Chengdu standings.

He currently sits third in the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Rankings presented by IMG Academy and remains in the hunt for the year-end No. 1 spot. Victory in Chengdu would be a major boost in that quest, which would also bring into play the potential for the boys’ ITF World Champion accolade.

“Finishing the year as junior world No. 1 is a goal, although I’m sure I’m not the only one with that goal,” added Rune. “Having the potential to become world No. 1 makes the ITF Junior Finals even more exciting.”

Finishing the season in the No.1 slot is not Rune’s sole consideration, however, as he prepares to take his place at the Sichuan International Tennis Centre and bids to become 2019 ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals boys’ champion.

“It is planned that the ITF Junior Finals will be my last junior tournament,” said Rune. “Because I have so many good memories from my junior career, winning in Chengdu would be very special and emotional for me.

“It would crown my junior career. Roland Garros will always be deep in my heart and very special, but, if I could choose, winning the ITF Junior Finals would be the dream way to end my junior career.”