Arthur Fery insists that his recent promotion to British No. 1 has not added any extra weight to his shoulders as he prepares to step back onto the court this weekend.
The 23‑year‑old, who captured the public’s imagination with a semi‑final run at Wimbledon, is set to make his first appearance since that breakthrough at the ATP 1000 event in Cincinnati, a tournament that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. Fery’s Wimbledon performance was historic: he became only the fifth Briton in the Open Era to reach the men’s singles semifinals at the All‑England Club.
The run catapulted him into the ATP top‑40, a dramatic jump from his previous ranking of 198 at the end of 2025. Despite the meteoric rise, he chose to sit out the Canadian Open, opting for rest and recovery before tackling the American hard‑court swing.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Fery emphasized that being the British No. 1 is a privilege, not a burden.
“It’s obviously a privilege to be No 1 in Britain. I’m not going to put any added pressure on myself,” he said.
“I’ll just take each match as it comes, keep working hard day in, day out, both in practice and at tournaments, and see where that takes me. That’s the approach I’ve taken all year and it’s been working, so I’ll keep moving in the same direction.” His immediate goal is to secure a seeded position for the final Grand Slam of the season, the US Open, which kicks off on August 30. A deep run in Cincinnati would not only boost his ranking points but also give him valuable match play on the fast hard courts that dominate the North American swing.
Since Wimbledon, Fery has been based in London, training at the National Tennis Centre. Earlier this week he flew to Ohio to acclimatise to the local conditions – a move he described as essential for a player who is still learning how to manage the demands of a top‑40 schedule. He also noted that fellow players have been exceptionally welcoming, helping him settle into his new reality without feeling isolated.
“The support over the past fortnight has been incredible,” Fery reflected. “I’ve never had that many fans behind me before, and it’s been really special.” Now, in Cincinnati, he will be seeded directly into the second round, giving him a brief respite before facing his first opponent. He expressed excitement about the challenge: “Playing my second Masters 1000 main draw here in Cincinnati, I’m looking forward to taking on these tough events throughout the year.” The tournament also features other British hopefuls. Jack Draper has received a wildcard and could potentially meet Novak Djokovic in the third round, should he navigate past Spanish youngster Martin Landeluce and Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi.
Draper, still coping with the emotional aftermath of a first‑round loss to Terence Atmane at the Canadian Open and a lingering arm injury, will be hoping for a clean bill of health to compete in multiple matches. Cameron Norrie will take on Croatia’s Dino Prizmic, while Jan Choinski faces Argentina’s Thiago Agustín Tirante. On the women’s side, Katie Boulter remains the sole British representative, scheduled to play American Katie Volynets. Beyond the immediate matches, Fery’s performance in Cincinnati will be a barometer for his readiness heading into the US Open.
The hard‑court season is a crucible for any player seeking to cement a place among the sport’s elite, and a strong showing could solidify his position within the top‑30, ensuring a seeded draw at Flushing Meadows. Fans can follow the action from August 13 to August 24 on Sky Sports, with streaming options available via NOW and the Sky Sports app.
The tournament serves as a prelude to the US Open, which begins on August 30, promising an exciting culmination to a season that has already seen a British player break new ground at Wimbledon. In summary, Arthur Fery approaches his Cincinnati debut with a calm mindset, refusing to let his new national ranking become a source of pressure. By focusing on steady preparation, embracing the support of fellow players, and targeting a solid performance on the hard courts, he aims to translate his Wimbledon success into sustained momentum for the remainder of the season, with the ultimate prize being a seeded spot at the US Open.