Fery’s unexpected Wimbledon journey
Arthur Fery, a British wildcard, has captured attention at Wimbledon with an unexpected run to the semi-finals. Fery, who grew up near Centre Court, achieved the greatest results of his career on the courts he aspired to play on as a child. His journey began at the Westside Tennis Club, just over a mile from the All England Club, where he first stepped onto a court at age four. Almost two decades later, he is set to compete in the semi-finals.
Fery, currently ranked 114th in the world, had only two previous Grand Slam match victories before this tournament. His performance has included five wins, notably a dominant victory over Italian ninth seed Flavio Cobolli, where he secured the third set 6-0. This remarkable streak has positioned him as a central figure in this year’s Championships.
He is only the second man to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals as a wildcard, a feat previously achieved by Goran Ivanisevic in 2001. While Ivanisevic was already a well-known player with multiple Wimbledon runner-up finishes, Fery’s success has emerged without prior high-profile results. Former Australian player and commentator Todd Woodbridge noted, “You just don’t want Arthur Fery to wake up because he is just playing such extraordinary tennis.”
Fery’s background includes strong sporting influences from his parents. His mother, Olivia, played doubles at the 1991 French Open and competed in the Fed Cup. His father, Loic, a financier, previously owned the French Ligue 1 football club Lorient. Fery credits both parents for their support throughout his career, both during successful periods and challenging times.
His early tennis development took place at the Westside club under coach Alison Taylor, a family friend. Taylor, married to three-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Roger Taylor, gave Fery his first tennis lesson. She described him as “incredibly athletic and gifted” with exceptional footwork and a natural ability for drop shots and net play. These skills remain foundational to his current playing style, allowing him to defend effectively and transition to attack.
Path to the semi-finals
As a junior, Fery’s technical ability was recognised early. He worked with coach Craig Veal and former ATP player Benoit Foucher at the Sutton Tennis Academy. They opted for him to develop his game by playing against adults in the UK rather than focusing on international junior competitions, aiming to foster his passion without excessive pressure. This approach allowed him to rapidly improve his junior ranking once he began competing internationally, eventually reaching 12th in the world.
Despite his junior success, including reaching the semi-finals in Australian Open and Wimbledon doubles, Fery pursued an alternative path by enrolling at Stanford University in California at age 18. He studied science, technology, and society, using a tennis scholarship to further his game while gaining academic experience. This period allowed him to mature and develop under coaches like Brandon Coupe, who noted Fery’s calm demeanor under pressure.
Fery has faced physical challenges, including bone bruising in his arm, which caused “dark moments.” Following a recurrence of soreness after reaching the second round at this year’s Australian Open, he invested in a full-time physio and a biomechanics expert to modify his serve. His coach, Jeroen Benard, confirmed that the new serve technique is reducing force through his bones, alleviating pain. Benard described Fery’s current success at Wimbledon as a dream, highlighting his dedication.
Fery is set to face French Open champion Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals. Zverev, who claimed his first Grand Slam title at the French Open, has shown strong form on grass, dropping only two sets en route to the semi-finals. Zverev acknowledged the pressure but maintained perspective, stating, “I’ve learned that a tennis match is a tennis match. Nobody will die. Their lives will not be drastically changed. We’ll continue living.”
Djokovic’s pursuit of history
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic continues his pursuit of tennis history, advancing to a Wimbledon semi-final against world number one Jannik Sinner. Djokovic, at 39, recently endured the longest quarter-final in Wimbledon history, outlasting Felix Auger-Aliassime. This will be Djokovic’s 55th Grand Slam semi-final and his 15th at Wimbledon, extending his own record.
Djokovic is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title. Reflecting on his journey, he stated, “I still want to go at least one step further. I still try to prove to myself and others that I’m able to compete with the best players in the world and beat them on the biggest stage.”
Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, has largely been untroubled since a scare in the opening round against Miomir Kecmanovic. He has not yet faced a seeded player in the tournament. Sinner and Djokovic have a recent history, splitting their last two Grand Slam semi-finals, with Sinner winning at Wimbledon last year and Djokovic taking revenge at this year’s Australian Open. Their next compelling chapter will unfold on Friday.
Source: rnz.co.nz
