Arthur Fery insists that his new status as Britain’s No. 1 brings no extra pressure as he prepares to step back onto the court this weekend for the first time since his unforgettable run to the Wimbledon semi‑finals.
The 23‑year‑old’s performance in London made him only the fifth British man in the Open Era to reach the last four of the men’s singles at Wimbledon, and it vaulted him into the ATP top‑40 for the first time in his career, after having finished 2025 ranked 198th. Choosing to skip the Canadian Open in order to recover fully, Fery will instead make his return at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. When asked about the weight of his new ranking, Fery told Sky Sports, "It’s obviously a privilege to be No 1 in Britain.
I’m not going to put any added pressure on myself. 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 been my approach all year and it’s worked well so far, so I’ll keep moving in the same direction." Fery’s 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 – by posting a strong performance in Cincinnati.
Since Wimbledon, he has been training out of London, but flew to Ohio earlier this week to acclimatise to the local conditions and to get a feel for the faster hard courts that dominate the American swing. He also noted that his fellow players have been exceptionally welcoming as he navigates the rapid rise in his profile.
"All the way through the fortnight, it was just incredible to have so much support. I’d never had that amount of people and fans behind me, so that was really special," Fery said. "Now here in Cincinnati, playing my second Masters 1000 main draw, I’m really looking forward to taking on these tough events this year." The Cincinnati Open, which runs from August 13 to August 24, features a strong field and offers a valuable opportunity for Fery to test his game against some of the world’s best ahead of the US Open.
He has been given a bye into the second round thanks to his seeding, meaning his first match will be against an opponent who has already had a chance to adapt to the conditions. British tennis also has other storylines in Cincinnati.
Jack Draper received a wild‑card entry and could potentially meet Novak Djokovic in the third round if he defeats rising Spanish talent Martín Landeluce and Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi. However, Draper is still recovering from an emotional first‑round loss to Terence Atmane at the Canadian Open, where he was seen in tears and hinted at a lingering arm injury that may affect his stamina over the next few weeks. 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, slated to play American Katie Volynets.
Fery’s performance in Cincinnati will be closely watched by British fans and pundits alike, as a deep run could cement his place among the sport’s elite and ensure a favourable draw at Flushing Meadows. The young Briton’s calm demeanor and focus on incremental improvement have already earned him praise from coaches and former players, who see his Wimbledon semi‑final run as a sign of what is possible with the right blend of talent, work ethic, and mental resilience. Beyond the immediate tournament, Fery’s rise reflects a broader resurgence in British men’s tennis.
After a period dominated by the likes of Andy Murray, the emergence of players such as Fery, Draper, and Norrie suggests a new generation ready to challenge the traditional powerhouses on the ATP Tour. Their success could inspire increased participation and investment in the sport back home, creating a virtuous cycle of development.
For viewers in the UK, the Cincinnati Open will be available live on Sky Sports, with streaming options through NOW and the Sky Sports app for those who prefer to watch on mobile devices. The tournament culminates just weeks before the US Open, providing a final tune‑up for players seeking to make a splash on the hard‑court Grand Slam stage. In summary, Arthur Fery approaches his Cincinnati debut with a clear head and a determination to let his game speak for itself. He refuses to let the label of British No 1 become a burden, instead treating each match as an opportunity to build on the momentum generated at Wimbledon.
Whether he reaches the later stages of the Masters 1000 event or uses it as a stepping stone toward a seeded US Open draw, Fery’s composure and ambition signal that British tennis may have a bright future ahead.