Arthur Fery maintains that he feels no extra pressure despite now holding the position of British No. 1 as he prepares to step back onto the court this weekend, marking his first appearance since the unforgettable Wimbledon semi‑final run that captured the nation’s attention. Fery’s breakthrough at the All England Club made him only the fifth Briton in the Open Era to reach the men’s singles semifinals at Wimbledon, a feat that propelled him into the ATP’s top‑40 rankings for the first time.
Prior to his ascent, he was languishing at 198th in the world, a dramatic rise that has turned heads across the sport. Choosing to skip the Canadian Open in order to preserve his energy, the 23‑year‑old will instead debut at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, a tournament that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. The decision reflects a careful approach to scheduling, allowing him to arrive in Ohio well‑ahead of his first match to acclimatise to the local conditions and time zone.
"It’s a real honour to be Britain’s number one," Fery told Sky Sports. "I’m not going to add any extra pressure on myself. I’ll just take each match as it comes, keep working hard every day, both on the practice court and in competition, and see where that takes me. That’s the formula I’ve followed this year and it’s been paying off, so I’ll keep moving in the same direction." Fery’s immediate goal is to secure a seed for the year’s final Grand Slam, the US Open, which kicks off on August 30.
A deep run in Cincinnati would not only boost his confidence but also improve his ranking enough to guarantee a favourable draw in New York. Since Wimbledon, the British star has been training in London, but he flew to Ohio earlier this week to get used to the slower hard‑court surfaces and the humid summer climate.
He noted that fellow players have been exceptionally welcoming, helping him navigate the sudden surge in attention that comes with being a national hero. "Throughout the whole fortnight I was overwhelmed by the amount of support. I’d never experienced that many fans behind me before, and it was truly special," he reflected.
"Now, here in Cincinnati, playing my second Masters 1000 main draw, I’m excited for the tough challenges that lie ahead this season." The Cincinnati Open also features a wild‑card entry for fellow Brit Jack Draper, who could potentially draw Novak Djokovic in the third round if he advances past Spanish up‑and‑comer Martín Landeluce and Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi. Draper, 24, is still recovering from an emotional defeat to Terence Atmane at the Canadian Open, a loss that left him in tears and raised questions about a lingering arm injury.
Other British men on the Cincinnati roster include Cameron Norrie, who will meet Croatia’s Dino Prizmic, and Jan Choinski, slated to face Argentina’s Thiago Agustín Tirante. Fery himself enjoys a bye into the second round thanks to his seeding, while on the women’s side Katie Boulter stands as the sole British competitor, set to play American Katie Volynets. Fery’s Wimbledon performance not only revitalised his own career but also injected fresh enthusiasm into British tennis, a sport that has long yearned for home‑grown success on the biggest stages. His semifinal run was a reminder of the nation’s storied past, echoing the achievements of legends like Andy Murray, who retired from Wimbledon 2024 after a distinguished career.
Looking ahead, Fery is keen to build on the momentum from his breakthrough. He plans to continue a regimen that balances intensive training sessions in London with strategic tournament selection, ensuring he remains fresh for the grueling summer swing of hard‑court events.
The Cincinnati tournament, scheduled from August 13 to August 24, offers a perfect platform for him to test his game against the world’s elite before the US Open. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, stream it via NOW, or watch through the Sky Sports app, guaranteeing that British supporters won’t miss a moment of their new No.
1’s journey. As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on Arthur Fery, watching to see whether he can translate his Wimbledon magic into sustained success on the ATP tour and perhaps cement his place among the sport’s rising stars.