Arthur Fery, Britain’s current No.1, is about to embark on the North American hard‑court season with a clear awareness of the aspects of his game that still need polishing before the US Open. Tim Henman, the former British No.1, finds that prospect "exciting" and believes the young wildcard’s recent surge at Wimbledon has injected a much‑needed dose of optimism into British tennis.
Fery’s unexpected march to the semi‑finals at the All England Club has turned him into a household name back home and provided fans with a fresh contender to follow through the Grand Slam calendar, starting with the US Open in New York, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis from August 30. The 24‑year‑old now faces the dual challenge of adjusting to his elevated status in the sport while learning to cope with the loss of the anonymity that previously allowed him to play without constant scrutiny.
Having vaulted from world No.114 to a career‑high No.36 during the season, Fery was the sole British player left standing in what was otherwise a disappointing tournament for the host nation. His run also made him only the fifth British man of this century to reach the second week at Wimbledon. The new ranking has earned him direct entry into the Cincinnati Masters, scheduled for August 13‑23, and a spot at the Winston‑Salem Open from August 23‑29, both of which will serve as preparation for his debut at Flushing Meadows.
Speaking at Royal Birkdale ahead of The Open, Henman described Fery’s Wimbledon performance as "amazing" and "transformational for his career and his life." He highlighted the rapid progression: "He started the year at 185, qualified in Melbourne, kept climbing, and then, as a wildcard ranked 114, won five matches to reach the semi‑finals. It was an incredible display and it underlines how fine the margins are among the elite players." Henman added that being inside the top 250 already marks a player as world‑class, and being ranked 36 now opens doors to the other Grand Slams and Masters 1000 events, giving Fery the chance to strategically plan his schedule moving forward. The US Open entry list will be based on the July 20 rankings, so there is little time for Fery to improve his position before the draw is made.
However, a few last‑minute withdrawals could see him slip into the seeded 32, which would provide a significant advantage. "The ranking points from Wimbledon will be awarded after the tournament, and the entries are set six weeks out, so his first real opportunity to benefit will be Cincinnati," Henman explained. The former US Open semi‑finalist believes that as Fery gains more experience, he will be able to add power to his game, a crucial factor for competing with the sport’s top tier.
"He still has many areas to develop, and that’s exciting because he’s young," Henman said. "I can’t wait to watch his progress.
We need British players at the top, and Arthur has a fantastic chance. The first few days of this season were tough for British tennis, but seeing Arthur play so well was brilliant. If Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper return fit, and with Katie Boulter, Cameron Norrie and Jan Choinski—who just cracked the top 100—still in the mix, we have a real story line for British tennis at the biggest stages." Fery himself acknowledges that his sudden rise will likely thrust him into a media spotlight similar to Raducanu’s after her own fairy‑tale Wimbledon run.
"Even during the tournament I was already thinking about life after and how to handle the attention, because we’ve seen others break through in that way before," he told Sky News’ Jacquie Beltrao. He noted that while Emma won a Slam and he did not, the media interest was still intense, and managing expectations from both himself and the public will be crucial.
The Brit is prepared for the increased scrutiny as he lines up against the world’s best. "Playing top players week after week lets me compare myself to them and keep improving," Fery said. He expects to adapt to the full tour lifestyle, media obligations and the pressure that comes with it. "I think I’m ready for it," he added, noting that the US Open will be his first main‑draw appearance without having to go through qualifying.
Regarding the possibility of being among the seeded 32 at Flushing Meadows, Fery remains cautiously optimistic. "If a few players withdraw, I might already be in there," he said. He also recognized that there will be no further ranking points before the US Open entry list is finalized, so his position will likely stay static for the immediate future.
"Being seeded gives you a little protection from the top players, but this is my first direct main‑draw entry based on my ranking, so I’ll just take it as it comes," he concluded. Fans can follow the ATP and WTA tours, as well as the US Open, from August 30 on Sky Sports or via the NOW streaming service and the Sky Sports app, which offers more than 50 percent additional live sport coverage at no extra charge.