LEVI Gale lifted the coveted under-18 singles trophy at the British Junior Championships at The Queen’s Club, London.

Entering the most prestigious junior tournament of the season in what he described as “the form of my life,” the Walditch teenager set about the task in hand.

In the round-robin section of the tournament, the 16-year-old amassed 17 games out of a possible 18, allowing him to surge through to the final where he met Lewis Williams from Prested, Essex in a repeat of the 2010 under-16 showpiece, in which Gale was defeated 6-1, 6-2.

Coming up against Williams, who has been working as a professional/coach for the past year and therefore has daily access to the courts, meant Gale had to give it his all, both physically and mentally.

Focused and determined, Gale exhibited some great shot selection in the hot and stifling conditions and all the effort paid off as he managed to prevail 6-5, 6-3.

Gale was also honoured to be chosen from all 50 competitors as the winner of the Nat Duncan Memorial Trophy and a new racquet.

Awarded each year by Nat’s parents, this award is made to the player considered to best exhibit the qualities of sportsmanship, tenacity and commitment.

Following this success and his victories at the French Open earlier in the year, Gale expressed his gratitude to Ben Ronaldson and all at the Hyde Real Tennis Club for their ongoing support, as well as everyone involved with the British Junior and Development Squads for helping him fulfil his dream.