Arthur Fery insists that his recent elevation to British No. 1 has not added any extra weight on his shoulders as he prepares to step back onto the court this weekend for the first time since his unforgettable Wimbledon semi‑final run. The 23‑year‑old Briton, who became only the fifth player from the United Kingdom to reach the men’s singles semifinals at Wimbledon in the Open Era, has catapulted into the ATP top‑40, a dramatic climb from a year‑end ranking of 198. In order to preserve his physical freshness, Fery chose to sit out the Canadian Open, opting instead for a brief period of rest before heading to the ATP 1000 event in Cincinnati, where his matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis.
"It’s a real honour to be the No. 1 in Britain," Fery told Sky Sports, "but I’m not going to pile any extra pressure on myself.
I’ll just take each match as it comes, keep grinding day in, day out – both in training and in tournaments – and see where that effort takes me. That’s the formula I’ve followed this year and it’s been paying off, so I’ll stick with it." Fery’s immediate goal is to string together a solid performance in Cincinnati that will secure a seeded position for the final Grand Slam of the calendar year, the US Open, which kicks off on August 30. Since Wimbledon, he has been based in London for training, but he flew to Ohio earlier this week to acclimatise to the local conditions and get a feel for the hard‑court surface. He also noted that his fellow players have been exceptionally welcoming as he navigates the rapid rise in his profile.
The British star reflected on the outpouring of support he received during his Wimbledon fortnight: "All through those two weeks it was amazing to have such a huge amount of backing. I’d never experienced that level of fan support before, and it was truly special." Now, as he arrives in Cincinnati for his second Masters 1000 main‑draw appearance, he expressed excitement about the challenges ahead: "I’m really looking forward to tackling these tough events throughout the year." While Fery enjoys a first‑round bye as a seeded player, other British hopefuls are also making their mark in the tournament.
Jack Draper has been granted a wild‑card entry and could potentially meet Novak Djokovic in the third round if he navigates past Spanish up‑and‑comer Martín Landeluce and Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi. Draper, who was visibly emotional after a first‑round loss to Terence Atmane in the Canadian Open, hopes to stay fit for the demanding week ahead, especially after dealing with a recurring arm issue. 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 in the draw and will square off against American Katie Volynets. The Cincinnati Open runs from August 13 to August 24, leading directly into the US Open. Fans can follow all matches live on Sky Sports, via the NOW streaming platform, or through the Sky Sports app.
Beyond the immediate tournament, Fery’s ascent signals a broader resurgence in British men’s tennis. His Wimbledon semi‑final appearance broke a long‑standing drought and has injected fresh optimism into the national tennis community. By maintaining a steady, pressure‑free mindset, he hopes to build on that momentum, targeting deeper runs in the remaining Masters events and, ultimately, a strong showing at Flushing Meadows.
His disciplined approach—balancing rest, targeted training, and a measured mental outlook—offers a blueprint for other emerging players navigating the transition from breakthrough performances to sustained success on the ATP Tour. As the season progresses, the British contingent will be watching closely, hoping that Fery’s composure and the collective experience of players like Norrie, Draper, and Boulter will translate into further breakthroughs on the world stage. The upcoming weeks will test Fery’s ability to convert his newfound ranking into consistent results, but his clear‑cut philosophy—focus on the process rather than the pressure—suggests he is prepared for the challenges ahead.