Arthur Fery maintains that he feels no extra pressure despite being crowned the new British No.1, and he is set to make his first appearance back on court this weekend since his unforgettable run to the Wimbledon semi‑finals. The 23‑year‑old’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 top‑40 for the first time. Prior to his Wimbledon heroics, Fery was ranked 198th in the world, a position that underscores the dramatic leap he has made over the past year. In order to preserve his physical freshness, Fery opted to skip the Canadian Open, choosing instead to rest and recover ahead of the next big test.
He will now travel to the United States for the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati, a competition that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. Speaking to Sky Sports, Fery reflected on his new status: "It’s obviously a privilege to be No 1 in Britain.
I’m not going to add any extra pressure on myself." He continued, "I’ll just take each match as it comes, keep working hard day in and 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 worked well so far, so I’ll keep moving in the same direction." His calm, methodical mindset suggests that he intends to let his game speak for itself rather than become distracted by heightened expectations. Fery’s immediate goal is to secure a solid performance in Cincinnati that will help him obtain a seed at the final Grand Slam of the season, the US Open, which kicks off on August 30. A deep run in the American Masters event would not only boost his ranking points but also give him valuable match practice on hard courts similar to those he will encounter in New York.
To adapt to the local conditions, he has been training in London since Wimbledon but flew to Ohio earlier this week to acclimatise to the climate, altitude and surface speed. He also noted that his fellow players have been welcoming, easing the transition that comes with a sudden surge in 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," he said, recalling the outpouring of encouragement he received from British supporters during his Wimbledon campaign. "Now here in Cincinnati, playing my second Masters 1000 main draw, I’m really looking forward to taking on all these tough events this year." The Cincinnati Open will also feature a number of other British hopefuls. Jack Draper has been awarded a wildcard and could potentially meet Novak Djokovic in the third round if he navigates past his opening opponents, rising Spanish talent Martín Landeluce and Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi.
Draper, who is still nursing the emotional aftermath of a tearful defeat to Terence Atmane in the first round of the Canadian Open, hopes to stay fit for a demanding schedule. His recent arm injury has raised concerns, but he remains determined to compete. Cameron Norrie will take on Croatia’s Dino Prizmic, while Jan Choinski faces Argentina’s Thiago Agustín Tirante.
In the women’s draw, Katie Boulter stands as the sole British representative and will meet American Katie Volynets. Fery himself enjoys a bye into the second round thanks to his seeded position, giving him a little extra time to settle into the tournament environment.
Beyond the immediate matches, Fery’s ascent carries broader significance for British tennis. His Wimbledon semifinal appearance broke a long‑standing drought and inspired a new generation of players and fans. The media attention surrounding his rapid rise has been intense, yet he has consistently emphasized a focus on incremental improvement rather than succumbing to hype.
By treating each match as a separate challenge and maintaining a disciplined training regimen, he hopes to build a sustainable career at the highest level. The upcoming weeks will be crucial for Fery as he seeks to translate his Wimbledon momentum into consistent performances on the hard‑court circuit. A strong showing in Cincinnati could set the tone for the rest of the summer, positioning him as a credible contender for a seeded spot at the US Open and reinforcing his status as Britain’s leading male player.
Fans can follow the action from August 13 to August 24 on Sky Sports, via the NOW streaming service, or through the Sky Sports app, ensuring that Fery’s journey remains accessible to a wide audience as he continues to write the next chapter of his promising career.