Arthur Fery maintains that his recent elevation to British No. 1 has not added any extra pressure as he prepares to step back onto the court this weekend. The 23‑year‑old’s remarkable journey to the Wimbledon semi‑finals last summer made him only the fifth Briton in the Open Era to reach the men’s singles last four at the prestigious tournament, and it propelled him into the top 40 of the ATP rankings. After a brief hiatus, he is set to return at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, a key warm‑up before the US Open.
Fery deliberately skipped the Canadian Open to give his body a chance to recover and to arrive in Ohio fully rested. He flew out to the Midwest early this week to acclimatise to the local conditions and to get a feel for the hard‑court surface. In a candid interview with Sky Sports, he said, “It’s a huge honour to be the British number one, but I’m not going to pile any extra expectations on myself.
I’ll just take each match as it comes, keep putting in the work day after day, both on the practice courts and in competition, and let the results speak for themselves.” He added that this pragmatic approach has served him well throughout the season and he intends to keep following the same routine. The British star is keen to secure a seeded position at the final Grand Slam of the year, the US Open, which kicks off on August 30. A deep run in Cincinnati would not only boost his confidence but also add valuable ranking points that could lock him into the top‑32, guaranteeing a favourable draw in New York.
While he has been training in London since Wimbledon, the transition to the United States represents a new chapter in his rapid ascent, and he acknowledges the support he has received from fellow players and fans alike. "Throughout the whole fortnight, the amount of backing I’ve felt has been incredible. I’ve never experienced that level of fan engagement before, and it’s something I’ll always cherish," he remarked.
Cincinnati will also be a test of his adaptability, as the tournament marks only his second appearance in a Masters 1000 main draw. He will have a first‑round bye thanks to his seeded status, giving him extra time to fine‑tune his game. In the draw, he could face a variety of opponents, ranging from rising talents to seasoned veterans.
The event also features other British hopefuls: Jack Draper has been granted a wildcard and could potentially meet Novak Djokovic in the third round if he navigates past his opening matches against Spain’s Martín Landeluce and Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi. Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie is slated to take on Croatia’s Dino Prizmic, and Jan Choinski will meet Argentina’s Thiago Agustín Tirante.
On the women’s side, Katie Boulter remains the sole British competitor, set to play American Katie Volynets. Beyond the British contingent, the Cincinnati Open has already delivered a series of compelling moments. Coco Gauff impressed with a solid victory over Ann Li to reach the round of 16, while Elina Svitolina was forced to withdraw due to injury. In the men’s draw, a dramatic incident unfolded when Daniil Medvedev, frustrated after a missed serve from Brandon Nakashima, smashed his racket into the LED screens surrounding the court.
Such flashes of emotion underscore the intensity of the competition and the high stakes for players aiming to fine‑tune their games ahead of the US Open. Fery’s calm demeanor contrasts with the emotional roller‑coaster some of his compatriots have endured. Draper, for instance, was visibly upset after a first‑round loss to Terence Atmane at the Canadian Open, a defeat that left him in tears and raised concerns about a lingering arm injury.
While Draper hopes to recover quickly and be fit for the demanding schedule ahead, Fery’s focus remains on steady progress rather than dramatic peaks. Looking ahead, the next few weeks will be crucial for Fery’s development. The Cincinnati tournament offers a platform to test his hard‑court credentials against some of the world’s best, while also providing a chance to gauge his physical readiness for the grueling two‑week battle that awaits at Flushing Meadows.
If he can navigate the early rounds with confidence, he will not only cement his status as Britain’s leading male player but also send a clear message to the rest of the tour that his Wimbledon breakthrough was no fluke. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Tennis, with streaming options available through NOW and the Sky Sports app. The tournament runs from August 13 to August 24, culminating just days before the US Open’s opening day on August 30. As the British No.
1 steps onto the court in Cincinnati, he does so with a clear mindset: stay relaxed, play his own game, and let the results unfold naturally.