Patience has been the buzz word for Shintaro Mochizuki and Harold Mayot.

Four years ago they reached the latter stages of the boys' singles competition. Since then, the talented duo have followed very different paths.

On Thursday, however, they were both celebrating a Wimbledon main draw spot.

Mochizuki, the 2019 boys' champion, put in an accomplished 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 display to down 16th seed Zsombor Piros.

"It still doesn't feel like I've done it," the Japanese 20-year-old said. "All of the guys here are so tough to beat. I just tried to stay calm and focused.

"I'm trying to think like it's not a Grand Slam at stake, that it's any other match. That mentality has helped me so much here, staying in the present, not thinking about anything outside my matches."

Mochizuki won just a single game in his 2021 second round Qualifying match in Roehampton, which provided a very harsh, yet vital, lesson.

"Every year I feel like I'm improving," the world No.209 said. "It's actually a good memory that I lost here two years ago to Tallon Griekspoor, who is now an amazing player."

"I got destroyed, but I learned a lot from the match. It was a real turning point for me, 'I have to improve so much, I have to be much stronger.'

"It hit me, something clicked, that I was determined to come back here."

Mochizuki counts the renowned IMG Academy in Florida, USA, as a "second home" where he hits with "super nice guys" such as Sebastian Korda, Denis Shapovalov and compatriot Kei Nishikori.

His partnership with his coach, former top-50 player and Wimbledon 1998 quarter-finalist Davide Sanguinetti, helped the young player crack the top 200 earlier this month.

"The French Open was my first ever Grand Slam with my own ranking, so it's taken me a lot of time, but I'm proud I've shown I'm a better player and a better person," he said.

"I've had a couple of years struggling at Futures level, Challengers level. Naturally I adjusted to playing better and better players. Just little by little, giving my all every day. I believed in myself that I could come back here one day."

Lifting the trophy four years ago, Mochizuki became the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam boys’ singles title.

"It feels a long time ago. I think we have a picture up at home with the trophy," he said.

"These good memories here give me a lot of confidence, especially on this surface.

"I don't really remember how I felt in that moment, but I loved playing there, loved being in London. It felt so good this week to be back in this place. I feel comfortable here.

When Mochizuki went on to take the title, Mayot narrowly missed out at the semi-final hurdle.

Unfortunately for the Frenchman, his own burgeoning success was halted by a severe right wrist injury in late 2020.

Falling to his knees in celebration in Roehampton on Thursday, the long road back was complete with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Italian Matteo Gigante, launching Mayot into his second Grand Slam main draw.

"It's crazy. I had a year out with the injury. I was 50/50 whether I could ever play again so it means a lot to make Wimbledon," the 21-year-old said.

"Why me? You just have to enjoy every moment, take nothing for granted."

Mayot said his stint on the sidelines was "the hardest of my life", combining the risky surgery, depression and a sense of injustice.

"I grew up only playing tennis, it was my dream, my passion, and when you think that has been taken away, it's tough to accept," the world No.180 said.

"I put on 12kg weight, was drinking with friends, but I've worked hard and here I am."

"The medical team was amazing, gave me the chance to come back and I'm super happy," Mayot continued. "I think the injury makes this moment, this win even more enjoyable.

"I was just a tennis player. Now I think I'm more of a human being. I'm my time with loved ones, I have a life away from tennis. Life is short so you have to enjoy it all."

The Frenchman is hoping to make his mark at SW19 over the next fortnight.

"Wimbledon is the history of tennis," said Mayot, who is based at Roland-Garros year-round.

"It's the tournament you want to get to. You play on clay or hard courts every week, so this is a dream to play on grass, to play Wimbledon.

"Of course I want to play and do well at Roland-Garros, but this is the most important tournament of the year."