Arthur Fery has made it clear that, despite his recent ascent to the top spot in British men’s tennis, he does not feel any extra weight of expectation on his shoulders as he prepares to step back onto the court this weekend. The 23‑year‑old’s breakthrough run to the semi‑finals at Wimbledon last summer thrust him into the spotlight, making him only the fifth Briton in the Open Era to reach the last four of the men’s singles at the All‑England Club.
That achievement propelled him into the ATP top‑40 for the first time, a dramatic rise from a ranking of 198 at the start of the year. In the weeks following Wimbledon, Fery chose to skip the Canadian Open, opting instead for a period of rest and recovery. He has now arrived in the United States to take part in the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. In a candid interview with Sky Sports, he explained his mindset: “It’s a real honour to be the British No.
1, but I’m not going to add any extra pressure onto myself. I’ll just treat each match as it comes, keep putting in the work day after day, both in practice and on tour, and let the results speak for themselves.” He added that this approach has served him well throughout the season, and he intends to stay the course. Fery’s immediate goal in Cincinnati is to build momentum ahead of the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the calendar year, which kicks off on August 30.
A solid performance in the Masters 1000 tournament could help him secure a seeded position at Flushing Meadows, giving him a more favourable draw. To adapt to the American conditions, the British player has been training in London since Wimbledon but flew to Ohio earlier this week to acclimatise to the local climate and time zone.
He also noted that his fellow players have been exceptionally welcoming as he navigates the rapid rise in his profile. Reflecting on the support he received during his Wimbledon run, Fery said, “Throughout the fortnight, the amount of backing from fans was unbelievable.
I had never experienced that level of crowd support before, and it meant a lot to me.” Now, as he steps onto the hard courts of Cincinnati for his second main‑draw Masters 1000 appearance, he expressed enthusiasm for the challenges ahead: “I’m looking forward to taking on these tough events this year and testing myself against the best.” The Cincinnati Open also features other British hopefuls. Jack Draper has been awarded a wildcard and could potentially meet world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the third round if he advances past his opening matches against Spain’s rising talent Martín Landelúce and Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi. Draper, who is still recovering from an emotional loss to Terence Atmane at the Canadian Open and a lingering arm issue, will be hoping for a deep run.
Cameron Norrie is slated to play Croatia’s Dino Prizmić, while Jan Choinski will face Argentina’s Thiago Agustín Tirante. Fery himself receives a bye into the second round thanks to his seeding.
On the women’s side, Katie Boulter remains the sole British representative in the draw and will take on American Katie Volynets. Beyond the immediate matches, Fery’s presence in the United States marks a pivotal moment in his career trajectory.
After a year that saw him climb from the fringes of the ATP rankings to the top‑40, he now faces the task of translating that momentum into consistent results at the sport’s biggest stages. The transition from grass at Wimbledon to the faster hard courts of the North American swing demands adjustments in timing, footwork, and tactical approach. Fery has been working closely with his coaching team to fine‑tune his serve, improve his return game, and develop a more aggressive baseline strategy that can thrive on the quicker surface.
The broader British tennis landscape is also undergoing a subtle shift. With Andy Murray’s recent withdrawal from Wimbledon due to injury, the mantle of hope has passed to a new generation, including Fery, Draper, Norrie, and Boulter. Their performances over the summer will shape public perception and influence funding and development pathways for upcoming talent in the UK. Fery’s calm demeanor and refusal to succumb to external pressure could serve as a model for his compatriots, illustrating that confidence and steady preparation often outweigh the noise of media hype.
Fans can follow the Cincinnati Open from August 13 through August 24 via Sky Sports, NOW, or the Sky Sports app, with the tournament serving as a final tune‑up before the US Open commences on August 30. As the British No. 1 steps onto the court in Ohio, he does so with a clear focus: to play his natural game, enjoy the competition, and continue the upward trajectory that has defined his remarkable season so far.